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Name: Mamma Melina Ristorante - Pizzeria
Address: 5101 25th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105
Telephone: (206) 632-2271
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.67

Mamma Melina Ristorante - Pizzeria

5101 25th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105

(206) 632-2271
Store is closed

Mamma Melina Ristorante - Pizzeria Menu

Bar Food

House Made Meatballs

Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin

Cuore Di Romana

Ravioli ai Formaggi Piccanti

Carpaccio di Manzo Con Barbaforte

Calamari Fritti

Ziti Ai Formaggi

Spaghetti All Ortolano

Piatto di Prosciutto

Klamath Falls Kobe Beef Burger and Fries

Rigatoni Al Sugo Dii Carne

Antipasto Misto

Parmigiana Di Melenzane

Formaggi Italiani

House Made Meatballs

Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin

Cuore Di Romana

Ravioli ai Formaggi Piccanti

Carpaccio di Manzo Con Barbaforte

Calamari Fritti

Ziti Ai Formaggi

Spaghetti All Ortolano

Piatto di Prosciutto

Klamath Falls Kobe Beef Burger and Fries

Rigatoni Al Sugo Dii Carne

Antipasto Misto

Parmigiana Di Melenzane

Formaggi Italiani
Pizza

Margherita

Marinara

Melina

Bianca

Calzone

Prosciutto, Caprino e Rughetta

Capricciosa

Corydon

Calzone vegetariano

Pizza Calabria

Pizza Napoli

Pizza con polpette

Margherita

Marinara

Melina

Bianca

Calzone

Prosciutto, Caprino e Rughetta

Capricciosa

Corydon

Calzone vegetariano

Pizza Calabria

Pizza Napoli

Pizza con polpette
Dessert

Olive Oil Cake

Torta Alle Pere

Tiramisu

Profiteroles

Cuore di Cioccolata

Tortino

Cannoli

Cannoli

Olive Oil Cake

Torta Alle Pere

Tiramisu

Profiteroles

Cuore di Cioccolata

Tortino

Cannoli

Cannoli
Gelato

Raspberry Sorbet

Spumone

Vanilla Bean

Pistacchio

Raspberry Sorbet

Spumone

Vanilla Bean

Pistacchio

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mamma Melina Ristorante - Pizzeria

Bar Food

House Made Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuore Di Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli ai Formaggi Piccanti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio di Manzo Con Barbaforte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Fritti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ziti Ai Formaggi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti All Ortolano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Piatto di Prosciutto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Klamath Falls Kobe Beef Burger and Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni Al Sugo Dii Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Misto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmigiana Di Melenzane [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Formaggi Italiani [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Made Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuore Di Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli ai Formaggi Piccanti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carpaccio di Manzo Con Barbaforte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari Fritti [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ziti Ai Formaggi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti All Ortolano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Piatto di Prosciutto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Klamath Falls Kobe Beef Burger and Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni Al Sugo Dii Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto Misto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmigiana Di Melenzane [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Formaggi Italiani [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizza

Margherita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bianca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calzone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto, Caprino e Rughetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Capricciosa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corydon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calzone vegetariano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza Calabria [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza Napoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza con polpette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Margherita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bianca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calzone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto, Caprino e Rughetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Capricciosa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corydon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calzone vegetariano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza Calabria [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza Napoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza con polpette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Olive Oil Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Torta Alle Pere [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Profiteroles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuore di Cioccolata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cannoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cannoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Olive Oil Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Torta Alle Pere [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Profiteroles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cuore di Cioccolata [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cannoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cannoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Gelato

Raspberry Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spumone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Bean [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pistacchio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raspberry Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spumone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Bean [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pistacchio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Winnie F.

Cute romantic spot in U-District, great staff, delicious food. What else can you ask for? I love going here for a good dinner or even happy hour. Do watch out for your wallet though, it does get expensive- but it's all worth it! Highly recommend.
(5)
Ngoc-Diep P.

Mamma Melina has expanded and now closer to U District Service: Still excellent Food: still excellent Ambience, no longer family, more like downtown dinner or great for after work meet up. Price: about the same. Still love this place, but won't be coming back as much since now it feels more trendy than family style restaurant.
(4)
Meg B.

I had dined her with my mom a few years back around when it first had opened. I always meant to come back but with it being JUST outside of U Village it always slipped my mind and I forgot about it. Lord knows why, this place is great! We came here for my birthday this past year during Happy Hour (I'm not sure of the exact times but Happy Hour is long here). Let me just say, my boyfriend who of course was treating me for my birthday immediately wanted to come back not only because of the fabulous food and service we received, but because we ordered so much food and a 2 glasses of wine each all for under 40$ for two. I have since come with my friend for Happy Hour several times. The bar area fills up pretty quickly. What I believe to be the manager graciously allowed us as well as other patrons to sit in the regular seating area after only waiting for tables for 5 minutes and still receive Happy Hour pricing. That was nice! I typically get the caesar, and a pizza with some wine for about 15$-20$ myself. Generous portions and great service! A definite new favorite even though the place has been open for about 5 years.
(5)
Lisa W.

Finally made it to Mama Melina's! I had never been to the original location on Roosevelt, but heard rave reviews about it. My BF loves Italian cuisine so we decided to try out their University Village location for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. The space is wide-open and inviting. The dÃ©cor was semi-elegant...white tables, white chairs, mirrors, and European style paintings on the ceiling. My BF had a glass of the merlot and I had a glass of the Sangiovese,. Someone promptly brought over a little basket of bread and olive oil/pesto for dipping. There were at least 5 entrees on the menu that my BF wanted to try, but he decided on the shrimp scampi. I ordered a Caesar salad...you can get it with seared ahi, grilled chicken, steak, or crab but I had mine plain. It was an entrÃ©e size so much more than I could eat, but a very delicious Caesar. My BF was over the moon with his shrimp scampi. It was beautiful on the plate...4 juicy shrimp enveloped in prosciutto, with grilled potatoes, asparagus and carrot on the side. He devoured his dish and is already talking about going back for the Osso Bucco.
(3)
Marshall B.

Ate here with an 8 person group. We came unnanounced at dinner time and they catered to use very easily. We sat right by the piano and were serenaded throughout the night with our own song requests. The food was top quality and the prices weren't too crazy. The service was pretty good, we sat waterless for a couple of minutes but, I was too absorbed in the ambiance to notice. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for a good bite Italian style in the U-District.
(5)
Sarah L.

The food was great, along with the waiter and the host but the owner was a total jackass! He came to our table and told us he needed us to leave because there was another party waiting for the table. We were there from 7:00 till 8:30, there were six of us and we ordered dessert.
(2)
Cyndy K.

This restaurant is amazing! Roberto one of the owners is great. My favorite is the chicken artichoke! Fun place.... I had a birthday here, the drinks and dessert were good as well!!
(5)
Denny L.

i like the old store.
(5)
Autumn D.

I haven't been here in a couple years but I loved this place growing up, my mother knew the owner, who also owned Buongusto on Queen Anne (circa 10 years ago) I used to eat here after soccer practice the food was divine and the piano man would let me sing jazz standards. I remember vividly this bourbon whipped cream concoction atop fresh strawberries. Maybe it changed ownership but the owner and staff were all Italian and were very attentive and the Italian food was the best to date, but perhaps I'm just being sentimental. I'll have to revisit the next time in Seattle so I can compare
(4)
Dikla T.

Since my boyfriend moved to Seattle 2 and a half years ago, and we found this restaurant, this instantly became "our place". We used to go here more regularly when we lived near by, now we don't go as much, but it is still our default if we can't think of somewhere new to go, or if someone is visiting from out of town. If you're looking for a wonderful atmosphere, amazing service, a simple, yet authentic menu and live piano music, this is definitely the place. We have our favorites and the wine list (especially when they have special prices) is wonderful. We've even eaten here on special occassions, like birthdays and Valentine's day, because it is truly a special spot.
(5)
Bryony S.

I've been hearing great things about Mamma Melinas for years and we finally tried it out tonight. The bread was fresh baked with a wonderful seasoned olive oil. We had a mozzarella and tomato appetizer with an amazing balsamic reduction. Very fresh mozzarella and delicious tomatoes. I had a pasta with red sauce and cheese and my boyfriend had a pasta with fava beans. Both were excellent. The cream sauce in my boyfriend's meal was pleasantly light; not overly rich as such sauces frequently are. The service was good but nothing amazing. They were attentive, polite and smiled. But the food and atmosphere were amazing and we are both eagerly looking forward to returning.
(5)
Laura P.

We ended up here on a Monday for lunch, when our other choices were closed. The pastas are decent and come with a great green salad (or choose a Ceasar). Service was helpful and friendly. Tasty breadsticks.
(3)
Mandy C.

This is my place. I LOVE Mamma Melina. I have loved this place since I first went there a number of years ago. It is a fantastic date spot; dark & cozy. I suggest getting a half (or full if you wanna walk home) carafe of some house wine and just start enjoying your evening. Definitely go on a weekend evening so you can hear the piano player belting out some serious tunes. He is adorable, going around taking requests. And he'll sing just about anything. It's just fantastic! Really adds to the ambiance. I LOVE the smoked salmon farfalle & it is usually too good to pass up when I go. Sometimes the wait staff includes a 20 year old girl with some sort of semi-appropriate tank top that shows off some tattoos but don't mind that. It's more about the feel of the place, the food, the music, and your date. I love Italian food and this place is consistent. Call ahead for a table to ensure that you don't have to wait outside with those people who didn't quite plan ahead. Mamma Melina definitely holds special memories for me and I hope you can make some there too. :D
(5)
Andrew S.

When i originally moved to the neighborhood i thought this place was really cute and nice. I hoped I could make it a regular place to dine. Since then it has become quite clear which demographic this restaurant prefers to cater to and that demographic is apparently not me. Consistently the host and/or owners of this business have stereotyped me as someone who shouldn't be eating there. My girlfriend and I were treated so rudely by the host on valentine's day because we weren't dressed up yuppy enough for their standards so they VERY obviously stashed us in the back of the restaurant, as far from the windows as possible. Let me give you a clue guys, you might want to move your business to Queen Anne where you can successfully match your intended clientele. The U-district doesn't want you anymore, seriously. Just knowing, as a fact, that the spray painted TUBS that sits across the street actually BOTHERS YOU gives me infinite pleasure. I can only hope the bums keep pissing on your doorstep.
(1)
Nicki V.

My boyfriend and I decide to try Mamma Melina after 3 months of driving past it and commenting on its very cool outdoor seating. We had a date night there and sat in the bar because it was packed. The waitress was absolutely adorable! She was so sweet and patient with our indecisiveness with food (very normal for us) and recommended an amazing oven pizza for us and bottle of red wine. Roberto (the owner) went out of his way to say hi to us and introduce himself. I have now hosted a bachelorette party in the back private room and we eat there almost once a month when we want to take our friends/family out to a swanky setting and really good food. Well done and thank you for your new location!!
(5)
Jeremy C.

Mamma Melinas is not my favorite Italian food in Seattle, but it's certainly one I frequent. Their permanent menu is decent and their specials are often superb, but what makes this place so likeable is the environment. I highly recommend going on Tuesdays for half-off wine specials. The owner often comes out and sings opera (which can make conversation difficult, although he's quite good) and, if the patrons are drunk enough, he'll occassionally hand out instruments, pull people out of their chairs and lead guests in dancing and singing. Also it's right next to one of the Landmark theatres and a great place to go before a movie.
(4)
Something Like a Phenomenon S.

LOL @ Max B's review. This isn't the best Italian restaurant in Seattle (my vote is probably for La Rustica), but the complimentary breadsticks are quite addictive (even though they're little more than plain pizza dough and a little dried oregano), and the waiter guy who's usually there during lunchtime is smokin' hot. The food merits 3, maybe 3.5 stars at the most. The eye candy, though, is priceless. (Tee hee.)
(4)
Bobbie B.

I love the setting and convenience. This is a great neighborhood spot. The prices are reasonable but the portions are really small. Add a few dollars and increase the portions. Pizza was good and will order again but not the entree. Even the salad portion and soup were inadequate. Sorry, I am a fan and would like to drop in your restaurant frequently. Please make some adjustments.
(2)
Birdie B.

I give Mamma Melina 5 stars for their happy hour. I went on a monday night around 10pm, and sat in the bar. They do a $14 bottle of wine for happy hour and 50% off all bar items. I ended up getting 4 items and a bottle of wine for $35. The eggplant parm was some of the best I have ever had, including homemade ones. ! I enjoyed my experience there and will definitely be going back! I can't wait to try sitting on their patio and going back for dinner.
(5)
Carla S.

Please, please could they move back to their wonderful Roosevelt location and serve the delicious food they ONCE served, but NO MORE?! I will really miss the old Mamma Melina's, and I won't be going back to the new one to try to fill that void. I'll be finding another place to fill my Italian cravings. So sad...
(1)
Eric L.

I really like this place. The food is great and at a reasonable price. Try the Ziti di Sorrento, my favorite. Service is usually good, it can be slow but its only because they are super busy. It can be really noisy and I would not even think of going if I did not have a reservation. As long as you know what to expect you should have a great meal.
(4)
Nina N.

let's say I love love love the service here.. reservations recommended!!!!!!! the bread they give you in the beginning is amazing... the wide noodle pasta was amazing but last night weak I tried to get an order to go and they didn't have it on their menu anymore I was sad.. but I had their ravioli and it was yummy.... still not sad about it though.... I can't say it enough but it's a great place for a frist date and it is what it is.. a really inexpensive quaint restaurant where the service is on point..... the food isn't amazing where you get excited about and start to rave about.. but it's good enough.....
(4)
Molly O.

It had been quite a few years and pre-kids since we had been at Mamma Melina's. We remembered it fondly. But I won't go back after our experience the other night. I am surprised this place is rated good for kids. It's not. My husband ordered the Chicken Marsala, I had the entree Caesar salad (very small for an entree) and we ordered two kid-sized bowls of plain noodles for the kids. Drinks were two chocolate milks, a Coke and water. The bill: $53 before tip. The waitress said she thought it was silly to charge us full price for two bowls of pasta for the kids -- at $15.50 each. So she just charged us for one. Still way too much. I paid the bill because we were going to be late for a movie, but I'm still angry that we paid so much for so little food. Again, the salad was small and the pasta my kids got couldn't have been worth more than two dollars total. We won't be going back.
(1)
Laural B.

We have a habit of going out to eat before Valentine's Day, and this was our first. As a result I have a soft spot for the place, and in fact it's actually pretty delicious too. If it wasn't so expensive I'd return more often.
(4)
M S.

This a great place for Italian food, certainly the best in the U-District. They are a little pricey for dinner but are a great value for lunch - the menu is the same as the dinner menu, with slightly smaller portions at much lower prices. I give them five stars for lunch.
(4)
Rachel S.

You know, I liked Mamma Melina a whole lot more at their old location. I went to the new location a couple months ago with my family and they informed us that they no longer served the WONDERFUL bread and oil that they used to due to cost or something. The new bread that replaced the delicious old bread was a dry piece of plain bread with some olive oil. We weren't too happy. However, my father and uncle ordered the Smoked Salmon and Crab pasta dish which was very good. I was dissapointed in the Gnocci which I would get almost every time at the old location. They no longer had Chicken Marsala which was always very tasty. The pizza was pretty good but all in all I was pretty upset that the changes they did decide to make to the menu were the wrong ones and they added new items that just seemed overpriced and not appealing. I will go back again because like I said I did enjoy the Smoked Salmon and Crab dish. The desserts are very good I have to say.
(3)
Regular J.

I was pretty excited to try out Mamma's for the first time because I had heard really good things about it. First and foremost, if you are going make sure you call ahead for a reservation. The place is somewhat small and was packed when I went. Also be prepared to be cramped, they shove as many tables as possible into this litte space and it isn't very comfortable. I try to not judge a restaurant by the lack of service because it usually varies between visits, but it was obvious that our server was very inexperienced and over loaded with tables. We had to ask more than once for our wine, our appetizer and finally for our dessert. I went with 3 other people, we all had a differernt entree and all were of the same opinion that the food was good, not memorable. In fact I was very surprised that they sauce on a couple entrees was very bland. The one entree that was a definite miss was the gnocci, If they make it in house I can only say that it must have been days old. We did enjoy the piano man because it gave the room more of a festive atmosphere. Overall, If I lived closer I may try it again, but since the food didn't stand out I will not be returning.
(3)
megan d.

not my favorite but a good stand by the food is will always be a crowd pleasure. i also like popping my head for the opera. the decor of this place is also uber romantic , not a bad place for a date.
(4)
Jeff G.

Wonderful happy hour menu. 3-6pm and 9 to close every day. All day Sunday and Monday from 11:30 on. Much of the menu is half price with the purchase of one drink. Non-alcoholic drinks count. My diet coke was $2.90. I had fantastic wood fired pepperoni pizza for $7, crab and shrimp Mac and cheese for $10, and a pasta dish with sausage for about $8 on three different visits. The staff has always been friendly, and attentive. The manager even sat me and two other gentlemen at dinner tables for happy hour when the bar was full. We just had to agree to vacate the tables in about 45 minutes when the dinner guests arrived. I stopped back there on 3-1-15 for happy hour. I had a wonderful full size pepperoni pizza for $7, fantastic fried calamari for $5.50, and two large, spicy meatballs for $5. I even added some of the meatballs to the pizza for variety. I was not able to finish everything, but it was all wonderful. I was able to bring some leftovers home. Great service again.
(5)
Ali P.

We want out for drinks and some snacks I am really supplies place it was amazing goodbyes good service will be back
(5)
Tom C.

Last minute, late night in the U district, this restaurant was perfect. By 9pm on a Monday it's not too busy, we had our choice of seating both inside and out. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the foods. I had Fettucina alla Bolognese. It was a generous portion and tasty. the pasta was cooked well and they weren't skimpy with the Bolognese.
(3)
Yumiko K.

I'd give this place 3.5 stars. The interior looked quite chic and modern (loved the paintings on the ceiling!!) Their happy hour menu is a full of great deals. Spicy meatballs (2 big ones), Margherita pizza (a big soggy in the middle, but decent), eggplant parmigiana (perfectly cheesy), and a generous pour of sparking rose are what I got to try. The food was pretty good; our server was friendly and quick. It is a good place for a group of friends to hang out or for a date night.
(3)
Lisa B.

Came here for restaurant week, and was underwhelmed by everything except dessert, which was amazing (olive oil cake). The cocktails were not terribly exciting, the smoked salmon appetizer seemed like I could just do myself by putting smoked salmon on a plate with olive oil and capers. The pasta was good, but other spots in Seattle do it better. I think I'll just stick to happy hour and dessert in the future - they have a good (and long) happy hour and a wonderful patio. The overall atmosphere of the restaurant is nice - great for a date, work, family, etc.
(3)
Maddy H.

Everyone I know loves this place and their happy hour. I have had good Italian food and Mama Melina's is pretty sub par. Everything was bland. I honestly barely remember my meal because nothing stood out or made me want to come back. Completely overrated. The drinks were good and the atmosphere was okay, that's where they get two stars. They're a Barolo wannabe.
(2)
Ali D.

When I heard that Mamma Melina had all day happy hour two days a week, it instantly became my new favorite restaurant. The best part is they aren't just offering a generously timed happy hour but an extensive menu of options at some really great happy hour prices. Me likey! The happy hour highlights: $15 bottle of house wine and $3.95 glasses of house wine. For this price, you're probably thinking that the wine is disgusting but it is actually rather tasty (coming from a girl who equally enjoys a $10 bottle of wine and a $50 bottle of wine). And you can't beat that price for a bottle when dining out! Wood-fired pizzas range from $5-6.50. I think their pizzas are great and taste just as a beautiful wood-fired pizza should taste. I don't think this is the best wood-fired pizza you'll find ever, but these are certainly delicious and still have that sexy charred crust that I can't resist. On happy hour you can get pepperoni, margherita or marinara. Other bites on the happy menu range from spicy, juicy meatballs (super spicy and super flavorful), pasta, salads to antipasto and cheese plates. You can essentially go Mamma Melina for dinner on Sunday or Monday, and order the same quality dinner items in the bar at half the price. It's amazing.
(4)
Leslie P.

I came here with a group of friends for Sunday happy hour. It runs from 11:30 am - 11 pm Sundays & Mondays. My best friend & I shared the three cheeses ravioli, spicy meatballs, prosciutto, cheese plate. The meatballs were big and definitely spicy, but nothing I couldn't handle. The cheese ravioli was also spicy, even though the menu didn't say so. This wasn't very flavorful, just spicy. It seemed like they were trying to make up for the lack of flavor by just putting a lot of heat int he sauce. The prosciutto plate came with at least 8 slices of meat. It might have been 10. It was good, but most likely store bought prosciutto. Lastly was the cheese plate. It came with camembert, blue, and one other hard cheese that I forgot the name. The cheeses were good. The plate came with fruit spread and macrona almonds. We told the waiter that my friend is allergic to nuts, but he didn't inform the kitchen of this fact. Luckily the nuts were in a separate section of the plate. Overall, it was a great deal for 4 dishes, 1 wine and 3 beers. With happy hour, the total came to about $50 after tips. The food could use a little help, but it wasn't bad.
(3)
Harvey X.

I cant speak for the normal menu but they do have a great happy hour menu. Everything food wise is half off from thr bar menu. The waiting staff is friendly and attentive. Thr crowd can vary from UW college students to retirement community. Nevertheless the calimari and chefs choice antipasti are the way to go.
(4)
Treasure H.

I love to come here. Very good happy hour menu. The food are tasty. Beside good food, the decoration and the color of the food make it even more delicious. The dishes they use are modern. Service was friendly. Clean environment ...including restroom. Super modern heated toilet seats if I don't remember wrong. Street parking and garage available (small parking).. I would say romantic place, due to lot of arts and crystal ceiling lights.
(4)
JV E.

Decided to grab some dinner with my girlfriend during their happy hour. Walking into the place, we were welcomed with a dimly lit environment and some bossa nova jazz. The way everything was set up sent off a classier vibe which was great in my books. As we sat down in the bar area, we were greeted by, Tracy, our waitress. The service she provided was great. She brought out our drinks quickly and said that she would be back to take our order. We ordered the dungeness mac & cheese, calamari, and burger with fries. The calamari was fried perfectly; not burnt to a crisp and not too rubbery. The sauce that came with it reminded me of Sriracha and mayo and was a great compliment to the calamari. I ended up spreading some of it onto my burger. The burger was decent. The meat itself was juicy and cooked medium, which was what I asked for. The buns on it threw me off though. They were cold and tough to chew. I wouldn't say stale, but hard enough to make my mouth tired from chewing. I ended up taking off the top of the bun and finished my burger off. The dungeness crab mac & cheese wasn't good at all. My girlfriend had previously ordered it in the past and reassured to me that it was phenomenal. As we took our first bite, we noticed a bitter after-taste. When Tracy dropped by to check on us, we mentioned about the bitterness right away. She brought it back into the kitchen without hesitation. When she came back a minute later, she said that the sous chef tried a bite and noticed something was off also. She then offered to switch up the order, but my girlfriend and I were already full. She gladly took the mac & cheese off our check. The food was alright, but the service and atmosphere gives this place 4/5 stars. I would recommend checking this place out! Cheers.
(4)
Jane D.

I've lived above this place for about a year and for some reason I only recently started eating here! I came in first a few years ago for a Valentine's day date with my mom. It was a set menu and really crowded but I remember the food being really great. I've ordered takeout about 3 times in the last month because I just can't stay away. You can tell the pasta is made fresh and that the dishes are each balanced. I recommend the beet salad, it comes with bright beets, tangy goat cheese and some candied nut (pecan maybe...) I've tried a few different pastas but the ravioli is my favorite, it tastes like some of the best pasta I had in Italy. Today when I went it was pretty slow service, it took a bit for someone to even acknowledge me and the pasta was only lukewarm when I got home. And my salad came in a really really dusty container (see picture) I didn't even want to eat it! But the Pasta is still tastey!
(4)
Lea P.

We visited on a Monday night and it was very busy due to happy hour at the bar. Despite busyness they were attentive and pleasant. Service was prompt. Nice outdoor patio. Ordered the bruschetta which was so-so, but enjoyed the salad and special salmon dish. I'd recommend and would come back!
(4)
Jessica G.

Another awesome Yelp discovery! Was heading into the U District on Super Bowl Sunday (yep, I couldn't care less about sports) and was craving Italian. I haven't been too keen on any Italian places I've eaten at in Seattle thus far (with the exception of Machiavelli in Cap Hill), but I was encouraged by the reviews and thought I'd give it a try with some friends. LOCATION/DECOR: - Such a cute place! Super trendy, chic, and modern inside. There are tables and booths, both look very comfortable, and there are a few more private areas in the back for more intimate dining. - The restaurant was EMPTY, but again, we went during peak Super Bowl time. - Very clean and inviting restrooms - Three words: HEATED TOILET SEATS. Soooooooooo nice. FOOD: - The three of us split a burrata appetizer (balsamic pear and prosciutto), which was sooooo good. I have yet to meet a burrata that I dislike, honestly. - I had the gnocchi for dinner, and my friends had lasagna and spaghetti. Everything was delicious. Just the right amount of marinara sauce, cheese, and olive oil to taste outstanding without being too heavy. The portions were generous and just right. SERVICE: - The service was great. Our water was always full, we were given complimentary focaccia bread (which we were given upon seating down) to go with our burrata, and our entrees came out promptly and very hot. All-around outstanding! I will definitely be back.
(5)
Mariko L.

Conveniently located near the U-Village, Mama Melina's also has an underground lot for easy parking. The restaurant has an open airy modern feel and, at night, the lights dim so that you're left with candlelight sparkling off of all of the chandeliers. Lovely! I've had the black truffle mushroom pizza - which is delicious! Also very generous in portion so being your appetite! I've also enjoyed the escargot as well as the Sicilian Prosseco cocktail (just the right amount of citrus and bubbly :)) So far from what I've tried, this is a great place to pop in when you're near the uvillage and craving a quick getaway from the shopping :)
(4)
Gary W.

The ambiance is modern with a touch of comfort as they have some booths. So you have a combination of seating arrangements from in the bar, on cloth covered tables or a comfortable booth. I came thinking of eating nice Italian pasta dinner, finding this is more of a fine dining Italian where you're inclined to get a bottle of wine and go full out on the meal. That said, we did a bottle of wine, a appetizer and couple of entrees where the damage was in the $140 range with tip. The service was attentive in the early courses and then waded as the evening progressed. As the entrÃ©e was served, we asked for some ground pepper that never came. I'd say if your meal is paid for this is great meal and I don't really have anything negative to say about the food or the lack of service although it waded when it became obvious we were done. But, I found Mamma Melina's to be over priced where I came away thinking I could have shared a porterhouse steak at the Met for the same price. I think this may be a good place to have happy hour or share a pizza. But, you may find it priced above the happiness to cost ratio if you stay and fully indulge in the dinner.
(3)
Marie B.

I still miss the original location of Mamma Melina's in the UDistrict under the Seven Gables Theater. I recalled not being too thrilled with its upscale rendition and move closer to University Village with my visit back in July 2013. So when former colleagues invited me again to MM for lunch earlier today, I figured I'm there for the company first and foremost. Plusses on this visit: Underground free parking Upscale interior dÃ©cor, but lots of natural light coming through Pleasant host and wait staff - nice balance of well attended to and unobtrusive Tasty focaccia squares Nice presentation of the dishes others ordered - salad, soup, starter, main entrees Availability of Two Courses for $15 - select a starter or dessert with an entree Not quite there for a fourth star and beyond, at least for me. I chose the Ravioli con Porcini e Formaggi as my entrÃ©e. The ravioli was a bit toothy and not quite as tender, however, the creamy sauce was pleasant and great to dunk the unwanted focaccia squares, enjoyed the grilled grape tomatoes too. I was done in with the ravioli and the focaccia. I asked to take my tiramisu to go, since everyone else didn't order dessert and it was time for them to head back to work. I did eat it about an hour later and was very disappointed. It's supposed to be ladyfingers soaked in espresso, Kahlua, and amaretto with mascarpone cheese. Instead it was sponge cake and no coffee or liqueur flavors coming through. The whipped cream dollop and crunchy slices of strawberry on the side added to the let down. Flavors weren't assertive or have that memorable aspect I tend to expect from Italian cuisine.
(3)
Kara P.

They make their own pasta!!! Need I say more?? My boyfriend and I went for restaurant week but I will definitely go again :) I had the homemade cannelloni and my boyfriend had the gnocchi, both were delicious. I am extra appreciative to restaurants who go above the rest and make things from scratch, especially pasta! (side note...they have heated toilet seats in the women's bathroom)
(5)
Sean C.

This is a pretty reliable italian spot. The service was really good when we stopped in on a hot, sunny afternoon. I'm guessing our waiter would have been more comfortable lounging in an armchair in the shade than waiting on us in 80+ degree weather, but if so, he didn't let on. He was quick, friendly and accurate. The food was quite good. We had a caesar salad (with grilled octopus instead of shrimp) and a pasta dish. We also got a kid's pizza, which was thoroughly enjoyed by our 6-year old. Overall, we were quite pleased with the meal.
(4)
trish m.

Went in here with my family last night, and once again was thoroughly disappointed. To begin with, we went in for HH and didn't realize it was only at the bar and outside, which were both full.. okay, get it.. but then watched our same waitress okay HH for the table right next to us but refused it when we asked (other than that she was friendly enough).. Now for the food, we are Italian so maybe a bit biased. But incredibly less than thrilling. The prosciutto pizza was completely soggy, gazpacho and linguini with clams were both just okay. And four little pieces of bread for three people? Come on. I guess mainly it's just so overpriced for what you are getting, feels just barely a step up from Olive Garden other than the atmosphere is nice of course. Won't be returning again.
(1)
May N.

I came here with my roommate for dinner. The atmosphere and service was nice, a good place for a date or nicer group outing. I got the rigatoni alla boscaiola and my roommate ordered the linguini con salmone e polpa di granchio. Both dishes were incredibly salty, we ate through half of our dish and drank at least 3 glasses of water each. The flavor was good, although I'll say mine was extremely heavy on the garlic. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE garlic... but the amount of slivered garlic equaled or may have surpassed the amount of mushrooms and zucchini in the dish. If me - major garlic lover - is taking notice of an overuse of garlic, that's quite a lot. I think this place is ok, not amazing. I'd suggest using a lighter hand on the salt and garlic and it'd be a better experience.
(3)
Brenden D.

We love coming here, especially if it's a nice day and you can score a seat on the patio! The food is really good and the happy hour prices are really unbeatable! It's a place you can come and hang with friends for hours and never tire. The small bites are great and the drinks are refreshing!
(4)
Brooke P.

Let me be the 1000000th person to exclaim this.... but TRACY is the BEST!!!! She had me sold on the place from the moment. She is a waitress and definitely MAKES the place!!!! Even if I am not in a great mood, when I walk in there with friends she always has us laughing! Even if she doesnt agree with me on who the best player in hockey history is;) hahah... Great food, pretty good prices (Esp happy hour), high end feel, top of the line service! Check it out!
(5)
Chris A.

OH MAMA I LOVE me my Mamma Melina. Seriously, this place is the best. And its not only the food. The people, the people, the people. The staff waitresses and managers are the absolutely most wonderful people anywhere. You have to come in and get to know them. It has been a treat being able to dine at Mamma Melina's. Happy hour goes on ALL DAY Sunday and Monday and it is so worth it. I suggest the Corydon Pizza ($6) and a glass of red wine ($4) with a side Caesar Salad. It doesn't get much better than that. The pizzas are all thin crust but pretty good sized with excellent quality meats and cheeses. If you're not feeling pizza, I also really enjoy the Crab and Cheese Pasta as well as the Bruscetta. Both are excellent and fair priced. Happy eating my friends!
(5)
Neon H.

for a Saturday lunch date with my girls, I expect a full house but we were the only people in the restaurant apparently.. It was also too loud. Please tone down your music. I had to shout for my lady friend across from me to hear. Appetizers were good and entrees were average.. wait time for entree was 30 min despite having appetizers early on. o.O
(3)
Claire K.

Update: The staff took the time to personally write to me and offer to speak to me about my experience. I love when a business cares enough about customers experience to reach out to them.
(4)
C G.

One star for the decor and one star for the drinks. Food was just not good and the restaurant was way too noisy
(2)
Megan R.

I LOVE Mama Melina!! I've only been to HH but that is what keeps me coming back! Soooo the b/f and I came here like a year ago and we really liked it but hadn't really been back since. But in the last month or two, we have been here a couple of times and just LOVE IT!! First of all, Tracy is such an awesome server!! She helped us the first time we came back and she was just so friendly and made great recommendations and just so personal. I loved her! We even have matching Michael Kors watches, so obviously she has great taste too ;) Sadly, we haven't seen her since then but we have received good service from other servers too. For example, the first time we came in, was specifically to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful night. They have a lovely patio so it was perfect! Except that after we sat down I gave the bf the look, the look like ummm idk if I want to sit outside anymore b/c it's windy and kinda cold. So of course to make me happy and to make the rest of the night enjoyable he asked a gentleman that was working if we could move inside and that we were sorry for the inconvenience. He was soooo nice about it! He said he totally understood b/c it seems nice outside but the wind can definitely make the difference so he kindly directed us inside to sit at the bar or in the dining area. I love that! Ya we were a little annoying wanting to move and he let us move with no hesitation or irritation which was really nice! Okay, they have a nice bar area BUT it's kinda small..so should I continue with this review and let you know that they have such an AWESOME HH??!! B/c I don't want more people coming and taking up space so I can't squeeze in and enjoy HH too lol but I will rave about it anyways ;) THEIR HH IS AMAZING!!!! It's like half off bar food, which if you go look at all the pics I just posted, that's their "bar food" that's half off!! OHHHH, and they have like half off bottles of wine or something, IDK I just know we get a bottle and I think it ends up being cheaper than buying $4 glasses of wine..ya we drink a lot ;) BUT their food is soooo good!!! The prosciutto is melt in your mouth amazingness!! We always get it and we're always wow'd, like it's the first time trying it, caesar salad simple but nice and light to go with whatever else you're eating, mac and cheese some serious comfort food BUT GOOD!! Bruschetta is good but not a must and their bolognese is yummy!! I could just go on and on and on but I won't. Just go check them out!! Their service is great!! The restaurant at night (as stated in my last review) is super sexy!! It's candlelit and intimate, great place for a date night and HH is CHEAP!! We usually oder 3-4 things to eat and a bottle of wine and it comes out around $50 with tip. And when I say $50, I'm pretty sure it's 40-50 but it's always good to round up so you're not false advertising prices ;) Anywho, I cannot say enough good things about this place..I JUST LOVE IT!! Annnd again this is just about HH I haven't been for dinner so maybe that's a different story..but I'll probably never know b/c I'll only go back for their late night crew of amazing servers and awesome HH!!
(5)
Silvia H.

To this day I'm amazed by the quality you get for the price at happy hour. The antipasto misto is great and every time I order it it's a little different (the type of cheese, olives, whether there's marinated red peppers, etc.). I've never loved their happy hour wine, except for when they've run out of a rose and had to give me another alternative, but I've really enjoyed the wines they've recommended outside the hh menu The most underrated part of their menu are their desserts. I will drive to another city, take the train down to Portland if I hear a bakery is really good. Mamma Melina's dessert are extremely good and of a decent enough size that most of the time I have to choose between having a meal or having dessert. They're a perfect size for sharing with another person (unless you're blessed with a God-sent speedy, metabolism). The olive oil cake is moist and has a hint of orange, and although basil ice cream doesn't sound appetizing, I promise you won't be disappointed. It's just a little hard to imagine because basil usually goes with salty dishes but somehow they make it work. I like each bite to contain first cake, second ice dream, third the berries, with the whipped cream on top. All together it's heavenly on the taste buds. Tiramisu isn't a cake I'm usually on the lookout for, but this was so good I had it two days in a row. I even bought some for a coworker who loves Tiramisu and she raved about it for a while. Tortino (bread pudding) is one of the best I have ever had. In my opinion it's the only way to serve bread pudding. It sits on a light caramel sauce and next to a vanilla ice cream. It tastes like the pudding just came out of the oven - it's warm. The middle is super moist. Every bite is heaven. It's good enough to sacrifice a day worth of calories to eat this. Cannoli, I had this fantasy in mind, before ever trying it, that this would someday become my favorite dessert: fried crust and a creamy filling? What could go wrong? The filling is mixed with chocolate chips and you can request to have them left out or have pistachios instead. I found it too be dry. To be fair, I tried another cannoli at the University District Farmer's Market and found it dry too, so it may just be I'm the one with the issue. My only complaint is their specials don't change that much, so I get bored and periodically wonder off to Italian restaurants at other neighborhoods. However, it's great spot for a late night snacks, an indulgent dinner with some cool decor (particularly towards the back), a dessert stop, a wine stop, have family over, need to catch up with a friend, or on a day you want to enjoy the sun outside. It's right on the Burke-Gilman trail so it's extremely accessible to the Ravenna, Bryant, and Laurelhurst neighborhood.
(4)
Julia B.

We got here for a birthday dinner and came in through the back after finding easy parking in the garage. 3 servers passed us and didn't seat us, so we were wandering around for a bit. The restaurant is quiet beautiful and the ambiance was really wonderful. A server finally seated us, though we felt like we missed something in seating ourselves or doing something wrong. We ordered food that sounded amazing and that did not disappoint-- to be fair we split a Risotto duck dish and they brought it out on two plates, which was nice. So--food was quiet delicious and we are looking forward to going back for happy hour, but service was so so.
(3)
Trisha F.

I really like this place. Lots of windows, wonderful outdoor seating, plenty of Renaissance inspired paintings on the ceiling... I've been here for apps and drinks at the bar before, but finally made my way back in for DAS lunch. Very glad this place made my Dine Around list. In addition to the 3 courses for $15, they also offered a red, white, and rose wine special for a mere $5. Sold! They offer complementary bread and balsamic/oil. I had the white bean bruchetta to start. Large shavings of Parmesan, drizzle of EVOO... Heaven. Great way to start the meal, as it didn't quite have the same spiced-linger-in-your mouth that a traditional tomato bruchetta has. Second was salmon, which came with green beans and potatoes and a bit of bruchetta style tomato on top. I would never have paired those two flavors together, but it was divine. Dessert was canoli. Touched with some whipped cream and a blueberry on the side. The ends were tipped with two different spices. Presentation is everything, and MM obviously knows this. Every course was better than the last. Our service was quick and attentive. Worth a visit!
(5)
Carson Y.

What more can I say about this place, its like my go to happy hour spot. They have all day happy hour on Sundays and Mondays. The happy hour menu is awesome! My personal favorites is the calamari with a spicy marinara sauce, or their spicy meatballs, definite have a great kick to it. The must try is their take on Crab mac and cheese, but they also add gulf prawns in it to add sweetness, its to die for!!!! They have an awesome list of other foods too, all the bar menu food are half price. $4 dollar glasses of wines, or a bottle for $15. Also they have my favorite blood orange martini on special too, which is only $5! Also lets not forget about the service! Its awesome it like going in to family, everyone remembers you, friendly and upbeat. I especially like sitting at the bar with either Alex or Blair they are both awesome bartenders that is really great at their job, fast attentive and efficient! If you love desserts, you have to end it with their tiramisu, light, yet still have that richness that a tiramisu needs....sooo good!!!
(5)
Miles S.

Great apps and food, great service, no complaints. They even made me a chicken parm even though it wasn't on the menu. And it was soo good! Big fan. We went for early dinner before it got very busy.
(4)
JB S.

excellent environment. excellent menu. very accommodating staff.
(5)
Marissa B.

I had dinner there last night with my mom and we had the most amazing experience. Our server was Tracey and she could not have been more fantastic. She was helpful in suggestions, very attentive, and knowledgable with our food allergies. Also the Sunday happy hour prices were fantastic! We will definitely be going back to visit soon!
(5)
Mariana O.

Great service (hence the two stars) but the food wasn't good... specially the tomato sauce in the pasta, which didn't seem to be fresh.
(2)
Kiran C.

I have been to Mamma Melina a few times in the last couple of years. It makes a great lunch spot and a fabulous date night dinner location. Food: The seafood pasta is excellent and not too heavy with cream. I would recommend it. The ossobucco is out of this world and a very generation portion. The meat is incredibly tender and the polenta is well seasoned and flavorful. The veggies are pretty simple that come with the ossobucco but taste good. The portion is on the large side so I would skip the appetizer if you get the ossobucco. My wife got the beet salad when we went. My only complaint would be that the beets seemed to come from a can. This is where I deducted a star. I am looking forward to returning and trying out their pizza though. Their gnocchi with pesto is excellent if you get the chance to try it ever. Dessert: The tiramisu was very tasty and definitely seemed to be homemade. The cannoli here are perfect. You can't go wrong by giving this place a try. Service and Ambience: I would say that this place deserves all the business it attracts. The service is smooth, the ambience is upscale, and you feel like you are out on the town and could be in downtown if you are inside. The outdoor seating area attracts a crowd in the summers and for happy hour. It can get a bit loud inside on a Friday or Saturday night but it is not overwhelming. Bottom line: It is worth a stop if you haven't tried it before for a nice time with good food.
(4)
Katleiah R.

Service: Professional, efficient - What you would expect of a nice, sit-down restaurant Ambiance: Candle lighting, Semi-casual - Somewhat intimate, but not super fancy. You could go here dressed in anything from business causal to semi-formal. Food: - Their focaccia al rosmario bread is amazing and served with olive oil and basalmic. Served 4 pieces at a time so you may find yourself asking for more, which I do every time I go. ~Calamari is good, not the best I've had in Seattle. ~Gnocchi di patate con pomodoro e mozzarella - One of my favorite Gnocchi dishes I've had in Seattle. Pretty big portion as well. ~ Linguine con salmone e polpa di granchio (Linguine, wild Oregon smoked salmon, fresh Dungeness crab and light cream) - If you like smoked salmon, you'll love this. The flavor was a little too over powering for me, and a little salty - but still delicious. Cost: Average cost for an Italian restaurant About what you'd expect, does not break the budget and the food is worth the money. Definitely a place for poor college students like me who want to go out for a celebratory dinner or nice date night. Uniqueness: Variety of good quality food, for an affordable price with choices from classic italian pastas to authentic Italian cuisine like Ossobuco. I'd say Mama is pretty unique in it's ability to hit all major categories of a good restaurant.
(4)
Aisha F.

Some of the best food I've ever had in my life!! Sure the place is packed, noisy, it's kind of expensive and the service is a bit slow, but the food is AMAZING and lots of vegetarian options. Everything I ordered tasted so good. The place is also decorated nicely, huge windows, and the music is good (you can hear it better in the bathroom.) Will definitely be back.
(5)
Maelani Q.

Okay so the atmosphere is trendy and very edgy for this modern day. However it's great for first dates and maybe social snobby gatherings with your "not so close friends". But it's not family or kid friendly, really sucks because my husband and I are big foodies, we love good food. Our server Tracy was polite and very keen on service, but hostess some guy who was aloof since we brought a kid in and wanted the happy hour menu. I have no idea, this is my own perspective of what went on. However food tutta bella neapolitan is such more better and more for the buck even at happy hour. Will I be returning probably not not even to barolo either. Same family own both joints, make a restaurant where it's family friendly.
(3)
Wennie H.

I came here for a birthday and knew I wanted the gnocchi. The group suggested doing family style, something I was all for, I mean, it's a good way to try multiple things! I just want to say though, that the gnocchi was the best dish. Hands down. There were other good ones, but that gnocchi, damn. Just damn. You know?
(4)
Rachel C.

We came here for a bachelorette party dinner for 20 people and it was great! the atmosphere was perfect and they put us in a semi private banquet room in the back. The decor is gorgeous and the food was wonderful as well. They helped me plan the whole thing and helped me design a special menu. There were some minor miscommunications but overall i would totally recommend it!
(4)
Mama F.

FIVE STAR SERVICE HANDS DOWN. Called to see if they delivered and sadly they don't but they did for me! My toddler is traveling with me and the gentleman who answered the phone was amazing. I don't even know his name but he went above and beyond! Thank you thank you thank you to whoever that employee was! Keep him! Promote him. My son and I are full, happy and the wonderful smell is still lingering in our hotel room:)
(5)
Vince M.

Another solid meal at Mamma Melina Ossobuco and duck risotto were executed perfectly. Desserts were olive oil cake and tiramisu both were excellent. We will visit again soon.
(5)
Rachel L.

What the owner of Mamma Melina, List, and Barolo does a really good job of is the Happy Hour. At Mamma's the house red, white, and rose wines are only $3.95, there are various other drink specials, it's half off all appetizers, and 3 of their pizzas at $6. I've had the Cuore di Romana (caesar salad), Ravioli ai Formaggi Piccanti, Calamari fritti, Bruschette, Pamigiana di melenzane, Antipasto, Broccoli & Cauliflower gratin, and Corydon pizza. The restaurant has classy decoration that immediately makes you feel relaxed enough to have a glass (or two ;) ) of wine while eating some delicious food. Although I haven't been for dinner before, I have enjoyed all the food I've had during happy hour and would highly recommend it. It's a place you could go with girlfriends, on a date, or with coworkers. The only reason why I am giving the place 4 stars instead of 5 is because the service there isn't always the greatest. The servers can be pushy and are not very warm or friendly. But all in all, I love going there for happy hour and will be back again (and again)!
(4)
Maria G.

I came back for its HH and it was so good! To my disappointment, they only serve one cocktail special for HH. Here is a picture of absolut vodka sicilian blood orange martini ($5): yelp.com/biz_photos/XbRTâ€¦ I was even more disappointed by how weak the drink was. I am not a huge vodka fan so I was glad the drink was not full of vodka flavor. They serve other specialty cocktails with average prices around $8 - $10. I also tried its HH bruschetta because I really, really liked it the last time I was here. However, this time the bruschetta is made differently. You get a glimpse of it in my last picture at the top right corner. It is topped with small tomatos this time. Corydon pizza ($6) was yummy! Crust was a bit burnt but it was nothing. I like the pepperoni on top! So creative and fun! yelp.com/biz_photos/XbRTâ€¦ Plain salad ($3) was super delicious as well! I think the sauce made the difference here. The sauce was super creamy. yelp.com/biz_photos/XbRTâ€¦ Calamari was SO amazing! This is the best calamari (not like ever) I have had in a really long time. It was served warm and soft but super fresh. Sauce was good as well. yelp.com/biz_photos/XbRTâ€¦ I also tried its cheese plate (not pictured) and highly recommend it as well. Service was good. There was only one waiter at the bar area so she was super busy. Often times she almost slams a plate on the table to be efficient but it was kind of scary. Every time she came by, I was afraid the plate would break. But she got the job done. It was hard to get her attention because she was so busy with other tables. I enjoyed the HH. The portion was generous overall. I think they should have more cocktail drink options for HH. I will definitely come back given they have daily HH and late night HH (9 - 11pm)!
(5)
Wind H.

A nice experience!
(3)
Phil S.

I got the veal.. it was gross. Salty and tough. Mushrooms tasted old and dry, meat felt frozen. Friend's steak came overcooked, when we mentioned it and told the waitress we didn't want to wait, she just walked away... it did not come off the bill or anything. good thing he gave her a -$10 tip... Girl likes her sockeye.. but the side veggies are worthless. Good atmosphere on a sunny day.. but Not going back.
(2)
Eneri S.

Came here on Sunday for their all day happy hour. I had the ziti with gulf shrimp and crab and the eggplant parmesan. Both were tasty and the waiter waived the one drink minimum. He was friendly and efficient.
(5)
I T.

Mamma Melina was a huge disappointment, I still remember the times when it was a nice small restaurant with good food in UDistrict. The food was tasteless and we had to wait for it for more than an hour. The service was so-so: too much running around and creating rushed atmosphere. On top of that, they have no clue how to make a place child-friendly, even though half of the families there were with kids. Never again
(2)
Mark M.

Some of the best Italian around. always amazing staff, service. Roberto should be proud of what he has done with the family business.
(5)
Katie H.

Went to happy hour a few weeks ago and had yet another bad experience. We sat at the bar and waited at least 7 minutes before I finally got up and got us some menus. The regular manager/owner wasn't there, and as usual when he's not around the service sucks. (Seriously I go there once a month so this isn't a one time bad review) The hostess clearly saw that we hadn't been attended to, but didn't mention anything to the bartender (Blair) who was in back somewhere, nor did the hostess bring us menus or even acknowledge that we were there. At this point there were a whopping 2 people sitting at the bar. When Blair finally got back to the bar she didn't apologize for the delay. Blair's service pretty much sucked- the kind of service that makes you feel like you're just really inconveniencing her and she really shouldn't be there as she's much to important to be serving you. We ordered a couple of appetizers then ordered an entree. After 30 minutes of the entree not coming (and needing to relieve our babysitter) we asked if she knew how much longer it would be as we had to get going. Turns out that our entree was taken to another spot at the bar. Keep in mind that there were 6 people sitting at the bar at this point and the bartender is your server. One would think that the bartender/server would be keeping an eye on that sort of thing. Oh that's right, Blair is too important to be helping the average person. I'm a super nice and easy going customer, but I've got to wonder why she is still working there. There has been a string of great bartenders at Mamma Melina, but she is not one of them. When you go to a bar and sit at the bar the bartender is a HUGE part of the experience and unfortunately Blair made a nice date night lousy. Funny thing... a friend of mine went there 2 nights later and was complaining to me about the service she received at the bar.... guess who was at the bar.... Blair! Even funnier thing- this friend is about the nicest restaurant customer in the world. When Kim is complaining about your service then you're REALLY bad.
(1)
Carmela G.

First time to try the place. Love the chandeliers, the interiors. I love the fancy ambiance and the nice customer service. We love the meatballs and the pizza! The bloody orange martini was good! Our server was JOSH and he was really nice and accommodating, he checks on us every now and then. We will definitely come back! :-)
(5)
Libby C.

I was here last night with a party of 11 people from work. The entire process was perfect. Making a reservation was easy, even when I called several times to make it bigger and bigger. Our server, Sean, was the best! We had great wine (a very affordable pinot grigio) , pasta, fresh bread and salads and pizza. The space feels very fancy and urban without being pretentious. BONUS: They have a parking garage!! Great for groups, great for dates and they even had options for the two little ones we had with us. A+!
(5)
Sonia C.

This is a great place to get lunch when the weather's nice. They have a very large outdoor seating area, replete with couches and umbrella-ed tables. We brought our puppy, and though she wasn't allowed on the patio, they let her lounge at our feet at one of the tables on the outer edges. The waitress even brought her a bowl of water. They have a $15 lunch special that includes a starter or dessert and a main (pizza and pasta selections, mostly). I ordered the goat cheese and beet salad as well as the salmon farfalle. The salad was an artfully mounded pile of beets topped with generous chunks of goat cheese. It was perfect for a summer day. I was less enthused with my pasta - while perfectly al dente, the cream sauce was a little too slick for my tastes. They were slightly stingy with the the smoked salmon too. My bf ordered the caesar salad and the spaghetti vongole. He was satisfied with both, especially the pasta which was topped with very fatty clams. We also enjoyed the warm foccacia and olive oil dip. Service was very good. We'll be back again for lunch when the weather's nice.
(4)
Grace W.

When I walked into this restaurant, I felt very welcomed in because the decor was very inviting and seemed like the perfect place to have a girls night out. It looked very trendy inside. There were a lot of people waiting to be seated. Luckily, my friends had arrived early and were already seated next to a window. I had a good impression so far but I felt the staff were super busy and didn't bother to pay much attention to us. We were about to order when our waitress arrived but then she hurried somewhere else the next moment we looked up from our menus. Poof, she was gone. Before we finished our appetizer, she took our plate from our table without asking us if we were or weren't done eating. This "rushed" type of service continued when my friend was offered pepper and then the server rushed off to somewhere without asking my other friend whether or not she wanted some pepper. It was as though my friend was invisible to him. I don't know if this was an off day or an out of the ordinary experience but this happened multiple times. The food was okay. I ordered their special - chicken. I was slightly disappointed because the chicken was dry and not very flavorful at all. I think Costco's rotisserie chicken tastes better than the chicken I had there. Despite the minor hiccups, I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant because it provided great space for my girlfriends and I to catch up.
(3)
Amy W.

I love this restaurant! I work nearby and usually eat here once a week, primarily for lunch but sometimes for dinner. I have had almost everything on the menu and have been very happy with the quality of the food. My favorites are the bucatini, rigatoni bosciola and the trota. The service is excellent and the entire staff is very friendly. This is one of my top three favorite restaurants in Seattle.
(5)
Lydia C.

I went here for Dine Around but ended up ordering off of their regular menu. I do have to say, though, I was impressed that some of their best-looking & priciest items from their regular dinner menu made it onto the Dine Around menu, which is not something you see at most other restaurants. I started with the beet salad, which was really good. It had a nice chewy texture from the roasted beets, instead of the mushiness that you get from just boiling them. I ate about half of my fiance's cauliflower puree soup because it was UH. MAZING. I can't put into words how good it was! Melt-in-your-mouth, ethereal richness. Yum! For my entree I had the risotto with asparagus and prawns, which was INCREDIBLE. The flavor and texture of the risotto was out-of-this-word good, and I loved that the asparagus was thinly sliced, rather than just cut into chunks. It gave an interesting and different texture to the dish. The prawns were generously-sized and grilled to perfection. Dessert was a good/average chocolate molten cake. Love the decor and feel of the restaurant, and really like that the selection is wide, but not overwhelming, and the prices are very reasonable. Highly, highly recommend this place and can't wait to return!
(5)
Chloe H.

The food, service, and cleanliness of the restaurant is great! This is a great place for a nice dinner for two, or a large party since they have larger tables is a slightly more private section of the restaurant. The only downside is that the regular dinner menu is a bit pricy for me, but the upside is that their happy hour (one 3PM-6PM and another 9PM-11PM) is excellent. Monday and Sunday the happy hour is all day. I've only had consistently good food and service. The happy hour is popular, so I would go either very early or very late, and only with 4 people max since the bar area is a little small. You buy a drink when ordering from the happy hour menu, but purchasing a tea or soda works. The outdoor seating is very pleasant during warmer months.
(4)
J D.

For happy hour only: Recommended: Sunday or Monday happy hour all day... go then otherwise you'll be hard pressed to find a seat in the bar (where hh is served). Try the calamari, the bruschette, the seafood mac. Service is hit or miss it seems in general lunch service is better than some dinner service I've gotten especially on the patio.
(4)
Chris B.

Food's ok, atmosphere's too noisy for any indoor conversation and the service is spotty.
(2)
Lei Q.

Love their patio.
(5)
Mina M.

Mamma Melina! I found out about this place from going to Barolo in Seattle so often. Turns out the owners of the two restaurants are brothers! Absolutely amazing happy hour and a good selection of dishes and wines. Spicy meatballs are incredible and the Burger is hard to beat! Only dish ive tried a did not like from this spot was the NY Steak for happy hour, its over seasoned in my opinion. For dessert I recommend the Canoli soooo good! Roberto the owner is an awesome guy and insures that all customers are taken care of.
(5)
Melissa M.

We've been fans of Mama Melina for more than 10 years, so it's safe to say we are repeat customers. This was our first visit to the updated location near University Village (we moved out of town several years ago). We sat outside on a beautiful evening, and the decor is modern but still feels inviting. The wine list is large although a bit on the pricey side for the Italian wines. Service was excellent and very professional throughout. Shawn was funny and his wine service was spot on. Food: Misto carne and Osso Bucco. Sigh for food that was cooked perfectly but under-seasoned. Salt helped, but all the meat needed more seasoning throughout the cooking process. The gorgonzola polenta didn't have much gorgonzola flavor. Friends has the Saffron Risotto and Veal. I tried a bite of the risotto which was properly seasoned. Perhaps an off night for the kitchen? We've had many happy meals here and are certain to be back.
(4)
Tommy S.

Mamma Melina's is my wife and I's absolute favorite happy hour spot. We usually share a pizza, as it is easily our favorite pizza in Seattle, but when we have branched out we've never missed and the food is always hot and fresh. Tracy (who serves in the bar area) is another big reason that we make weekly stops at MM's because she makes us seem like the most important customers in the restaurant, which is extremely hard to find as young people in the city. She (and the other waitstaff) are very attentive, professional, prompt and personable. Hands down our favorite place to take friends from out of town, or for an easy, affordable date night. See you next week!
(5)
Nicole H.

The hostess was a little off--she had to say goodbye to her soriority sisters. Other than that, the environment is beautiful and the food was amazing. They have an awesome patio, large tables for large groups, and a great bar area where you can get happy hour. We came for the late night happy hour and spent only $30 on: -Rigantoni al sugo di carne (Veal & Beef Rigatoni)--large portion, better than Tavolata in Ballard (Only $7 during HH) -Ravioli ai formaggi piccanti (A subtly spicy red sauce over cheese ravioli)--6 large ravioli's (Also only $7 during HH) -Bruschette ($3.50) -2 glasss of white wine (the house happy hour white was delicious and only $3.50 a glass!) -2 pint size beers (only $3.50!) We left very full and very happy. Parking in the neighborhood wasn't bad because it was later in the night. I'll be back!
(4)
Annie W.

Came here for happy hour on Sunday. It was nice that HH is all day on Sundays but it is only available in the bar with limited seating. We ordered calamari, house-made meatballs, mac and cheese and the kobe burger. We were really hungry and thought the portions would be small since its happy hour menu. Surprisingly all the dishes were pretty good portion! They really do mean it when they say the meatballs are spicy! The kobe burger was a bit bland, wish it had more flavoring. I'm giving it a 3 star due to convenient parking, nice portions and all day HH on Mondays and Sundays.
(3)
Sarah M.

Ever since my old company had a big blow out over where to come for their holiday party, this being one of the choices, I wanted to check it out to see what all of the fuss was about. This restaurant is REALLY good. It's beautiful on the inside and out and was super crowded on a Friday night. Luckily we had a reservation and got right in. Generally, when I make a reservation, I like to think that they'd give us a somewhat nicer table...we got seated right next to the kitchen which was distracting but right next to the pizza making station which was fun to watch. So I was able to get over the proximity to the kitchen. Had a blueberry lemon cocktail which had blueberry vodka, lemon juice, and soda. It tasted a little watered down but was sweet and tasty overall. What's interesting is that the server said it was the least sweet drink on the menu but I still thought it was pretty sweet. We had the bruchetta to start which wasn't the best that I've ever had but I was starving and we all scarfed it down. It had cherry tomatoes, not chopped tomatoes which I prefer, but was still tasty. The bread was really good - focaccia with balsamic. I try not to eat bread when I'm out but this was good. So why 4 stars if I've done nothing but complain so far? The bucatini with meatballs was awesome. I love this shape of pasta and it's so hard to find. (I found it at Williams and Sonoma for a ridiculous $...but that's another story.) The sauce was fresh, not too sweet, but flavorful. And the meatballs were the best. They were tiny which was a nice change from most restaurants. And while there weren't a ton, I was still stuffed halfway through my plate. While I was frankly already to call it quits on eating for the night, our table ordered dessert and we had the belgian chocolate cake. Holy crap. Tastes like a warm chocolate melting cake almost. I rarely order dessert but thought this was worth it. For the two of us, it was about $56...I expected it to be more but thought it was really reasonable considering the quality. I'd highly recommend this place...make a reservation if you come on the weekend!
(4)
Alicia B.

i met a group of friends here for happy hour (all day on Sunday!) and we ordered from the happy hour menu. The food was HALF OFF, which was great, and they offered a fair selection of drinks and nosh. Our friends had hamburgers (Happy Hour price = $8) and they seemed really happy with them. My BF and I shared a pizza and while it tasted alright, it was SUPER greasy and the middle was wet and under cooked. Kind of a bummer. I also ordered the drink special - Blood orange martini $5- but who knows what was in there since it was served with a slice of regular old orange. The part I really found strange was this: If you were there for happy hour you could not sit anywhere you wanted. You are forced inside (on a beautiful sunny day) or you had to sit on the "sofa" seating outside. We sat outside and ROASTED. It was more than uncomfortable. And there was plenty of tables available! But since we were there for Happy Hour, we couldn't sit at them. I guess only guests paying $16 for a hamburger get to eat it seated at a table under a big umbrella. Comfortably.
(3)
Rose G.

We ate at Mama Melina twice during the winter and were quite impressed with the setting, the food and the wine - it was the epitomy of gracious dining. We have had a difficult time in attempting to find good Italian food in Seattle. The salad, which the two of us shared, was complex and artfully prepared and so beautifully balanced in texture and flavor. Each pasta dish we ordered was given the same approach as the salad - beautifully balanced, with quality ingredients. Our third visit went steeply downhill on May 5th, which was our 25th anniversary. The wine was not nearly as good. The same salad as before was just thrown together on a plate and lacked both visual and taste appeal - it was bland. The pasta tasted as though an amateur threw it together. The sauce was supposed to be creamy with herbs added and this time, the pasta tasted as though a carton of cream was just poured over it, with a bare sprinkle of herbs added, which had little to no flavor. To top all of this off, the service was no longer elegant; the music was cranked way up and the same waitress we've had the other times performed as though the boss was away and she was just passing time there. I don't know what happened within the restaurant between the first two times and the last time, but it certainly created unfortunate results. Each time we dined around 5 p.m. during the week. Well, unfortunately, we won't be back. What a loss.
(2)
Tony Y.

Everything we had at Mamma Melina was great. I ordered the margarita pizza which had excellent sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese. Even the crust was delectable. We had the calamari for an appetizer which was good, but what made it great was the marinera sauce they serve with it. Others in my party had the seafood linguini which was busting over with excellent tasting seafood. I've also been here for happy hour which is a run away deal. The same pizza that was $12 during dinner is $6 during happy hour. They also have glasses of wine, beer, and cocktails for about $5.
(5)
Colleen M.

Still an excellent chef-owned gem of a restaurant. The food is always fresh, and love the salads with their signature balsamic reduction dressing-almost sweet. Nightly specials are always a great choice, but not to overlook pasta favorites with their amazing lasagna, and even gluten free spaghetti. Always a delight to go, and service is attentive and well trained to make it a fun dinner or lunch.
(5)
Alison T.

Went here after a recommendation from a friend who lives in the area and I must say I am an immediate fan. Italian isn't usually my favorite, but they do it right. I ordered the Lasagna Pizza with sausage, mushrooms, ricotta, and mozzarella. It was super thin crust, my favorite, and wood-fired. I would have eaten the whole pizza, if I could. Also tried the fried calamari: yum! and the veal cutlet: delicious! I'd highly recommend this place to Italian lovers and their desserts were great. The portions were a good size. I'd go back for the pizza, alone. Really good!
(4)
Abigail C.

The food was fine-- not great, not bad-- but our server was quite possibly the least personable waiter I've encountered in my entire life. He started out by asking how we were, and when my husband politely said "fine, how are you?" he said "tired!". Then we politely laughed and said something like "oh yeah we are too" and he said "but did you work as a waiter in a busy restaurant last night?". It was uncomfortable and bizarre. He then couldn't recommend a single thing on the menu and acted taken aback when we asked. He was so rushed that he literally threw out plates on the table in front of us and spoke so quickly we couldn't understand him. We then sat there with empty plates in front of us for 10 minutes. It was service so bad it was distracting.
(3)
Jerome B.

I love this place! I've dined here probably 4 or 5 times in the past year. It's a great place for dates at night or if you want something nice and casual, lunch here is great as well. The food here is really good! The gnocchi with the creamy tomato sauce was delicious. I also had a panna cotta there that was perfect. I once tried a calzone during my birthday dinner that was HUGE and so tasty! I love the ambiance there. The decoration is so chic and simple. I would suggest making reservations through Open Table, because sometimes this place get's packed on weekend nights!
(5)
Krystin T.

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE Italian food. And gnocchi. And wine. Just saying. I'd been to Mamma Melina before, but it had been quite awhile. I don't even remember what I ordered before but it was probably good. This time, I definitely enjoyed it. We made a reservation for 7pm on a Friday night and thank goodness we did; I don't know how long we would've waited otherwise but we definitely would have waited awhile. As it was, we ended up with kind of a weird seat right by the kitchen, but it wasn't too big of a deal. We started off with some bruschetta. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was fine. I expected a little more from a place like this, but it wasn't bad at all. My gnocchi was really good. I'm a gnocchi fiend and I always worry that it won't be good, but this was pretty delicious. I didn't really need dessert, but we decided to share some chocolate lava cake and I'm glad we did. I enjoyed my glass of red wine as well, but unfortunately I can't recall exactly what it was, so my commentary there is useless. I also really appreciate that there is a parking garage right there. Any place with parking is a favorite of mine!
(4)
Gina B.

I went to this restaurant 2 years ago and last night I was in the area and wondered if the quality had kept up; I was not disappointed. The decor is lovely, the food is very good...not excellent, but very good. I'm writing because of our server Claire, yes I looked at our bill to get her name, she was that good. She was upbeat and on point. This girl remembered our names and kept checking back to make sure everything was what we expected. The second we needed refills, napkin or anything, she was there before we even had a chance to say anything. She was lovely and made our night. The 5 stars are really because of her. I believe in playing it forward so when I get good service I need to shout it out! Thank you Claire!
(5)
Sarah W.

My fiancee and I first found Mamma Melina's during last years dine around seattle, and we had an amazing evening. Tracy, our server, was absolutely the best, the food was all amazing, and the wine was decently priced and very good. Tracy told us at the end of our meal about the happy hour that goes on in the bar, and now we go at least a couple times a month, sometimes once a week. We think it's the best happy hour in Seattle, half off bar food, the wine is always good, and Tracy is there five nights a week and always provides the best service we've ever had. From fancy date night, to casual drinks with a friend, this place has you covered. It's our favorite spot, and even though we are moving to a different neighborhood soon, we will be back.
(5)
Hilary T.

I had the BEST purÃ©ed seasonal vegetable soup here! I would have licked the bowl clean had I not been in public! :) Service was a little slow, but it was really busy the night I was there. Forgivable. I will be going back again!
(4)
Kathy C.

I chose this spot at random. It was the best choice I made all day. The bread served while reading the menu was an unexpected delight...almost cake like...the waiter prompt, polite and helpful. The Veggie Calzone was more wonderful than I was hoping for. Great food and great service. ...excellent experience.
(5)
L W.

My favorite is their veal rigatoni from the happy hour menu. I go there often whenever I crave some pasta. I'm usually not disappointed by the rigatoni but have been often disappointed by the lobster and crab Mac and cheese. Once in a blue moon you'll get an amazing tasting Mac and cheese.. But I think that literally only happened once out of the 5 times I've ordered it. I think I'm giving up on hoping I'll hit the jack pot again.
(3)
Tara O.

First time here. Our server was Johnny. Let me outline why he as a server was the best experience of all servers since I've had my son in the last 2 years of eating out: When he came to our table he asked if we wanted to get our toddler son's meal started, if you're a parent you would understand why timing is everything to avoid a melt down. Next came the drink, when my kid slurped it down Johnny asked if we wanted to replace it or if maybe he wanted water implying that sugar and juice etc...you get the point. Delighted Mom. Finally, ceramic bowl for my clam shells arrived and instead of placing it in front of my son, he put in on my opposite side far out of reach from my son. It is these gestures that made him stand out as a server, since having a kid in tow. Each of these, are specific issues I've had to learn through experience that can just ruin a meal. And so, our food arrived fresh, hot, in a timely manner and bottle of wine opened efficiently throughout the beginning and poured during our meal. Yes, it's not the least expensive place to dine out, but the overall experience was on point for us. I had the clam spaghetti, my husband had the crab and smoked salmon linguini and my son had the gnocchi. Not fancy meals, just hearty and down home. Try this place, ask for Johnny as a waiter if you have children. He will delight you.
(5)
Robert B.

Overall, I would call this a nice neighborhood Italian bistro with aspirations of being more (think Tavolata, etc). Unfortunately, it's reach exceeds it's grasp. THE GOOD: They feature a puree-style soup special every night. Having never been there before, I don't know how it is on other nights, but the pureed minestrone soup was quite brilliant; it captured all the flavors of a good minestrone, but in a puree form. My wife's pasta & bean soup was only average; a little bland and underseasoned. The dining room is done in a rather spartan, modernistic style, with some decorating touches (paintings on the ceiling because the ample windows leave wall display space at a premium) that seem a bit precious, IMO. ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: My cannelloni was competent, but once again just a bit on the bland side. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I was looking for something - anything - to give it just a bit more punch and inspiration. I guess the avant-garde look of the dining room just left me with higher expectations. Frankly, I've had just as good cannelloni at Vince Mottola's chain of old-timey neighborhood eateries. I'm afraid service was rather hit-and-miss as well. The entree came sans requested wine (note to servers everywhere: wine and food are as inseparable as Marcello Mastroianni and Sofia Loren. If both have been ordered, ensure they come together, or at least make sure the wine comes first! To have ones food without wine is like going out of the house and forgetting your clothes; it just doesn't work, OK?) So like I say, MMR+P is a nice joint in the hood, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.
(3)
J S.

I got accused by the co-owner Roberto this afternoon of being dishonest after I questioned the bill. They charged us for three wines. We ordered only two and they brought us only two, as witnessed by my guest. Roberto said "this was the second time I had made such an accusation and I had a repeat pattern of making the bartender pay for my wine!" Floored, I asked the waitress about this and she apparently had told Roberto that this had happened to me 3-4 years ago (because of a bartender's mistake). Somehow Roberto turned this around on me and it was my fault. I had been a 30 year loyal customer of Mamma Melina's (from the Roosevelt location and then to the 25th street location), reserving private dining rooms for large events many times, and referring many other customers. When I asked the waiter and Roberto what waiter or waitress had brought the "supposed third wine" they couldn't figure it out--they started guessing waiter names. Roberto then said "he is honest because he gets up at 6 in the morning and doesn't like dishonest customers"--his second accusation within less than 5 minutes! I won't ever pay for another Mamma Melina experience again or their mistakes and their disrespect, nor will my guest. I can go to other restaurants where they know how to tally a bill, what waiters are serving what food and drinks to which customers, and don't call customers dishonest. Buyer beware.
(1)
Diane C.

I really like Mamma Melina. I would give the food a solid 3.5 stars, but the thing that pushes it to the 4 is the service. This place is the perfect place for a casual business lunch because there is something for everyone and the decor is so bright with clean lines. I really enjoy the beet salad and soups of the day! When I'm feeling like a bit of a lighter fare, I go with the pollo palliard with a tasty lemon butter sauce and arugala. When I'm feeling indulgent, I have the gnocchi and gorge on those pillowly potato nuggets! The pizza is also really tasty. Skip the mushroom ravioli...the sauce it's in tastes more like tomato soup than anything. Happy Hour here is also a good deal. Half off most apps and great drink specials. Recently tried the crab/prawns mac and cheese. YUM!!! I work nearby, so it's easy to pop down and take advantage of their FREE parking garage. Skip the italian sausage with gorgonzola polenta...it's bland. Finally, the service. These guys are hands on and care about who their customers are and how they are experiencing their restaurants. I really appreciate this. Part of the reason that will keep me coming back is because I know they care!
(4)
Matt C.

It may not be Il Terrazo Carmine, but it is not priced like Carmine. I love Mamma Melina, its staff and foods. Beautiful restaurant, free parking, great service and el dente pastas. Never had a bad meal there and price is reasonable. If it is not Carmine, it at least deserves a 4.5 star by me!
(5)
Kat L.

Happy Hour Review: Came here for a quick bite to eat after an Ultimate Frisbee game. My friend and I both felt so scummy with our athletic wear on compared to every other patron in the place. Happy Hour is only in the bar, so we were seated at the skinny table. All bar food is half on and select pizzas (3 out of the huge list) are $6. Select drafts & wine were under $4. The bar menu looked amazing! I had the hardest time deciding what to get, but ended up with the Spaghetti Calamari thinking something like would be good after the intense game. I regretted that decision. There is a reason 80% octopus is in breaded deliciousness; It's very difficult to make tasty and flavorful with other techniques. I ended p picking out the octopus and just eating the spaghetti. The light garlic sauce was pretty sour, but still delicious since it had a seafood taste from the octopus. I was disappointed in the lack of garlic chips though! My friend got a basic pizza, I ended up stealing a piece because I liked his more than my pasta. The staff was really friendly and the service was fast. I will be back to try their main menu and other HH items
(3)
Ryan C.

I have said it before, I am a pizza snob. So when the restaurant claims that they make Neapolitan pizza, I will try it. I will also judge it against Tony's in SFO. Got the sausage mushroom pizza with ricotta. It was burned on the crust, not just the regular bubbled crust char, but burnt. The middle of the pizza was way too wet from the ricotta and mushrooms. Sorry, I will pass on this, and I did. The saving grace, a nice waitress and an antipasto plate with great pickled cauliflower and nice meats.
(3)
Randy P.

You CANNOT go wrong here, bringing guests, a date whatever here, the HH is great, the restaurant is just, awesome.
(5)
Laura C.

3.5 stars. I've only been here for lunch and happy hour, so I will only be reviewing those services. The lunch options are great, a little pricier than I like to spend at lunch, but it is a really nice easy lunch. I typically order the $15 lunch special that consists of a starter (soup or salad) and an entree. I like the goat cheese and beet salad and the chicken pillard style dish, the buttery citrus sauce is fantastic. Happy hour is decent too. It's easy to come here because of the parking garage, and it's rarely packed to the brim. Half of the bar menu and a $4 cocktail, red or white. So why only 3.5 stars. There is nothing special. The service is fine, not stellar, not poor. The food is just fine, not incredible. The atmosphere is nice, which is hard to find in the University District. Nothing is the best I've ever had or unique to their restaurant. I'm by no means complaining, so glad to have this option, but I hope they switch things up a bit and bring some more interest to their menu.
(3)
Jenny K.

Great location, ambiance, and service! Not the biggest fan of their food/drink menu. I ordered the rigatoni but also tried the ravioli, pasta bolognese, calamari and sausage pizza. Nothing was spectacularly good. My rigatoni, though good, was way too salty. I would recommend this place for large parties and I also here they have a good happy hour.
(3)
E. P.

I want to give 3.5 stars...I was there for happy hour yesterday. It was busy and our waitress seemed a bit frazzled. Get more help or seat less people! Yummy vegetarian calzone and white pizza. I wasn't as interested in the appetizer offerings that were half off during HH. I wish they had capellini pomodoro, but nothing much simple like that on the pasta menu. What is pizza lasagna?! And calzones are under the Pizza heading. You have content issues in this menu and, you're in luck, I'm a Content Strategist (give me a ring). :) But, free/ample parking in the garage and a great time with friends so I can't complain too much. Just not my first pick for Italian food.
(3)
Michael F.

I will start by saying the food was great, the atmosphere was great the problem was the services. We were the first to arrive today for lunch. Maybe two other tables were seated. We ordered two salads. It took over 30 min to get our food. The wait person stated that there were lots of salads in front of ours and they were sorry for the wait. In fact a table that sat down a good 15 min after us got their salads first. Again food great services not so much today.
(3)
Chris C.

The spicy polenta was not spicy. The beet salad was good. The flavor combinations worked well. The veal scaloppini was just OK. The dungeoness crab arugula salad was just OK. It would have been just as good without the crab. It didn't add anything "WOW" to the dish like we were hoping. The gnocchi was bland. My daughter's pepperoni pizza was good. The service was fine. We probably won't eat here again by choice. We'd rather eat at Bizzaro. We prefer the food at Bizzaro.
(3)
mai l.

Went here for my bf's birthday and everything was delicious. We came here before for HH and loved the meatballs. Worth every penny!
(5)
Michelle B.

I've only been here once for my birthday, but it was a great experience! I love the ambiance of this place (besides the cement floors idk why but it bothers me), and im sure you read all the other reviewers, yes this place does have portraits on the ceilings and dimmed lights come dinner time. The bathrooms are awesome also. Great for pictures.. LOL! The food here is good. I had one of the 'specials' and i believe it was salmon w/ a buttery lemon cream sauce w/ capers and veggies & i think it was an orzo breaded cake, which tasted dry and horrible but i didn't really care for it. I also ordered calamari which was very tasty, and pizza (forgot which one) w sausage and mushrooms which wasn't bad at all. I tried my little cousins dish though, he ordered the Linguine con salmone e polpa di granchio (linguine w/ smoked salmon & crab in light cream sauce) and it tasted a little spoiled. And with the smoked salmon it just tasted off. Not really worth the 19 dollars. The service here was good but it wasn't spectacular. But it might have been because there was a wedding rehersal for about 40 that were eating at the same time as us. Actually, i think that they didnt even get there food until after we had gotten ours! They were able to accomodate my large party and didnt seem annoyed or anything like that. But i remember having a tiny bit of trouble trying to flag my waitress down for another refill. A couple of my friends came super late and they were able to get they're food quickly. Good job Mamma Melinas! They also have a parking garage in the back. Try and park there cause parking anywhere else is defintely a pain in the butt. I can't wait to come back and try more of the dishes that they serve! Especially during the summer months because they do have outdoor seating.. but your view is of the road and a gas station :/
(4)
Chris K.

Pleasant service. Excellent outdoor seating gave us a chance to appreciate the weather. Tiramisu was perfect.
(4)
Seattle C.

Beautiful restaurant and great Italian food. Excellent service and I didn't know prior to this visit what an excellent find this restaurant would be. Comprehensive menu offered something to appeal to everyone, and they even make gluten free pasta which was great for a dining companion. Wine list was impressive. Great date restaurant, and nice spot to meet friends.
(5)
G N.

What a nice ambience this place has! White tablecloths, candles, soft music playing in the background -- and modern, light Italian cuisine. Perfect! Started with the melanzane imbottite (prosciutto filled eggplant) which was quite flavorful, then the fresh halibut with capers and a white wine reduction (the fish was perfectly cooked and seasoned). Finished the meal off with a great raspberry sorbet. Service was attentive -- I had to step out just before the first course arrived to make a quick call and they held mine back in the kitchen to keep hot until I got back to my seat (plus the server asked "is anything less than perfect?" Never heard it put that way before! I like that! Want to hear all servers asking me that from now on!). Must return in better weather to try out the patio which looks like a lot of fun.
(4)
Leah B.

i'm never in this area of the U District so I didn't know this existed until a few weeks ago. The paintings on the ceiling are just silly, but the rest of the space is really nice. I had the spicey ravioli. YUM!! My complaint is the portion size. You only get like 6 pieces of pasta :( I could have eatten twice that. I also had some red-tini type of cocktail and it was good too. thankfully my friend was picking up the tab :)
(4)
Lucy L.

A very nice place to stop by for happy hour with friends after a long day of work and classes. Shared the antipasti plate and ordered the beef and veal rigatoni...it was fabulously flavorful and the portion was generous. Took off a star for somewhat slow service, even after we asked for the check and surrendered our credit cards.
(4)
Jessica B.

So soooo good! Eating here somehow makes me feel good about myself, unlike most places I eat where I feel like an overstuffed ogre/pig. A) Locally owned and operated - 3 brothers run this and they're always working there. Gives the places a really homey feel despite the modern decor. B) DELICIOUS food. OMG, everything I've had here is so good. The margherita pizza is a classic and has perfect flavor. The chicken I ate was cooked to perfection and had great flavor in every bite. The Tiramisu??? YES PLEASE! It's so light and fluffy and delicious. Great portion sizes that leave me really full, but not gross I'm-going-to-vomit full. C) Ambiance is great for a romantic couple or a group work gathering. Strange, but interesting decor is a little sterile, but not in a bad way. Overall, I love this place. They have a great happy hour too!
(4)
Jenna P.

The pizza sauce was too spicy to be palatable for me. I suggest to mark the ones that are not palatable to others to mark them with stars.
(2)
George P.

Don't let the table cloths and lounge music throw you off. This place is casual and welcoming to kids (provided the kids are not expecting a play area or some other highly-focused kid activity). There are a few kid menu options as well. The food quality and attentiveness by the staff is great as well. Will definitely return.
(4)
Kari L.

The happy hour is great! I went on a monday evening so it was pretty quite. I recommend going sunday or monday..happy hour is all day and its not as busy. I will for sure be back!
(4)
Bob C.

I'm upgrading from four to give stars for having THE ABSOLUTE BEST HAPPY HOUR IN TOWN! Seriously, you cannot beat the tasty food and, most important, the value from 4pm - 7pm anywhere in Seattle (until 6pm on Fri and Sat). I hesitate to even write this review since I don't want it to get too crowded!
(5)
Jay F.

Food wasn't very good. Service was even worse as we were consistently raising our hands. Honestly not a good place for groups in my opinion and could use an upgrade.
(2)
Lisa K.

Had the halibut entree, which was the fish special of the day. Very good, cooked well, and served with vegetables. The hors d'oeuvres, calamari and antipasti, were enjoyed by all four of us. I've also stopped in for a mid-afternoon lunch and beer, sitting at the bar, while on my way home from a bike ride on the BG trail. The staff is friendly and attentive.
(4)
Theresa H.

This is the best happy hour I've found in the Ravenna neighborhood. Glasses of wine for $4, bottles of wine for $15, specialty cocktails for $5, pizza for $6, and other (hearty) appetizers for $3-7. Not only are those good prices, but there are lots of options for happy hour, which can be hard to come by. Happy hour goes til 7 on most nights, which also allows people who work til 6 to still make it. They even have a late night happy hour after 9pm, including weekends. I haven't tried all the food, but the pizza, bruschetta, eggplant parmesan, cauliflower and broccoli gratin, and salads are all delicious. You don't need a lot of food because it's pretty rich (and cheesey). There aren't a lot of seats in the bar, but a few tall tables and bar seating for happy hour. I've never had an issue getting a seat, and the servers are super friendly. The best time to come here is in the summer, which is pretty obvious anytime you pass by the place after 3pm on a sunny afternoon. There is a beautiful patio with many tables, and the place is always bustling during the warm-weather season. Unfortunately you can't order happy hour on the patio, but it's still worth it. Plus, all the people running and biking along the Burke Gilman will look at you with extreme envy as you are chowing down on a slice of pizza and sipping your white wine, which is pretty nice too.
(5)
Lauren F.

My boyfriend and I have came here a few times, we do LOVE the happy hour! It is one of the best happy hours around! We came in during happy hour for my birthday May 9th, our waitress has waited on us before she was awesome, she is always on top of it, very nice, and helpful! We are a young couple so people tend to think we won't tip well, when actually I am a waitress so i know how to tip, if you earn it! do not judge a book by its cover.. I must say The host is what ruined it for me, he was a male in a light green button up the night we came in. He was very rude to the costumers, had very poor attitude towards everyone! People would walk in to sit, the place was empty it was happy hour he didn't let anyone sit in the restaurant he would say Nope you can only sit here, just very rude! I wish i could say i had a great birthday, but that guy should not work their if he is so unhappy with his job.
(3)
LB D.

Was very disappointed with the service and attitude of our Server. Slow on table service and I was told to "hold on". When I asked for my food to be boxes. Then a box was dropped at the table for me to do my self. For the price I would have expected a bit better. Gentleman at the front was however friendly and a worked to accommodate the size of our party. We did call ahead but they would not confirm an outside deck reservation at the time but got us out there when we arrived. Makes things a bit stressful when you choose a location for a special occasion and they won't confirm what you want. Food was over all Good.
(2)
Kevin W.

Before stumbling upon Mamma Melina, I had always imagined that fancy restaurants and the University District were mutually exclusive. I had foolishly assumed that all restaurants in the area had to conform to a certain mold and cater to the image of the stereotypical broke college student. I must be spending too much time on the Ave, because I completely neglected instances where people in the area have a little more money to spend on a meal for formal events or something. I guess that's where Mamma Melina is supposed to come in. When you walk into this place, you might forget you're even in the U District because of how elegantly it's furnished. The beautiful atmosphere comes at a price, of course, since you can also expect the food here to be significantly more expensive than what you might normally find at other restaurants near UW. The place looks very new and clean; it's apparently been around for twenty years according to their website, but everything from their seats to their menus seems to suggest that the place has hardly been around for a year. It's actually too dark to see much and thus tell just how clean it is, but it certainly feels clean. I briefly touched upon this point earlier, but this is not the place to go if you're on a tight budget. Thankfully, my friend invited me here and shared what he ordered with our whole group so that I was able to try some of the food here without paying for it. Being the cheapskate that I normally am, I otherwise would have no reason to come here. Since Mamma Melina is technically a pizzeria, you might be inclined to order a pizza as your main course here. They go from eleven to sixteen dollars, and are obviously not your average huge Costco pizzas for serving your entire family with. Pastas are a few dollars more than pizzas for some reason. Yeah, I apologize if reading about a restaurant from a poor person's perspective is depressing. My friend ordered the meatballs for eight dollars. There were two of them, very large and very tasty. They weren't so large that you couldn't stick an entire one in your mouth and find out what four dollars as a mouthful of food feels like. They're also seasoned and garnished and covered in marinara sauce in such a way that the price is a bit more justified. Bottom line is that they're great, although you shouldn't expect a plate covered in a dozen or so of them. The menu never specifies just how many of them there are (gee, I wonder why...), but there are exactly two. Desserts here are absolutely fantastic. They have about eight different kinds, each priced at seven dollars. My friend ordered three of them, so I didn't even know the names of what I was eating. Like everything else here, the portions are not that big; they were just like large slices of cake. They were so good, though, that for a moment I could almost forgive them for costing seven dollars each. I did order one thing here, a margarita for five dollars during happy hour. The waitress was very helpful and friendly, and was able to deliver my drink within a few minutes. It was enjoyable, although I can't imagine the price being anywhere near reasonable outside happy hour. I've never been to Mamma Melina on a date, although I imagine that it would be a good destination for that purpose. I would just be worried about my date going on Yelp to look up this place and then finding out how stingy I'd been on my first visit here.
(4)
Heather H.

I would consider this the best pizzeria in all north Seattle. There really is a lack of a well rounded pizzeria without all the grease and divey atmosphere. I'm not a heavy pasta eater, but pizza and anti-pasto are my bestest friends and i get a great reunion of that here! I had wanted a light dish without the slices of meat and our waiter was able to customize my order to a platter of savory grilled veggies and olives! My boyfriend ordered his usual pasta dish but noted it was overtly salty. Again our waiter was gracious to make up for it with a free dessert platter. The ambiance of this place is outstanding. Casual but dressy. It falls in the great flexibility of being a place that is nice enough to host a group but not without loosing the intimacy that can be felt on a date. The hanging prints on the ceiling add to its class.
(5)
Jeff K.

I used to go here when it was located on Roosevelt, when it looked like a hole in the wall restaurant where you'd expect the food to be decent at best. In fact the food was always good and the place was always friendly with a good crowd of strangers. Their new location is much more convenient to get to and their new look is completely revamped; it's like going from a nice 'ma and pa' diner in Ellensburg, to a Trendy Wine Bar in Downtown Seattle. The food is still good though. I haven't been to many Italian restaurants in Seattle, but I'd have to say this is the best I've had. But if I compare it to the food I had in Italy, I'd say it's mediocre. The service is always friendly and the Happy Hour has some great deals on Food and Drinks. The Corydon pizza is cheap and is pretty filling for one person. It's topped with miniature pepperoni slices that are crisp around the edges and filled with flavor and juices when you bite into them. They also have Calamari that's cooked in, what I believe to be, some type of Marinara, which is tasty (I think they also fry them up too but you have to ask them to). They also have a few other sister restaurants that I need to visit soon.
(4)
Tracy L.

The food is very good but don't go there to have drinks in the bar. They have found the most uncomfortable, hard, cold metal stools made. You'll want to leave after 15 minutes. Go for dinner but not happy hour or drinks. (Happy hour in bar only).
(3)
Ben S.

Ordered some pizzas here, they were really good.
(4)
Brittany R.

This place is phenomenal! Great location, free garage parking in back, awesome atmosphere, great waiters and service, delicious food, electrically warmed toilet seats, art, granite, great happy hour! It is wonderful!
(5)
James F.

I'm so bummed about this place. It used to be this tiny mom and pop restaurant in the u district and it was delicious. The foccaccia bread was great, and everything i had there was fantastic. Especially the Gnocci. I used to take anyone who visited here because it was so adorable and so good, and so affordable. Then they moved. I will say the new place looks amazing. Great deck, super hip, very cool. But it lost it's appeal. Before it was a cute little authentic restaurant and now it's like a standard trendy chain restaurant. The menu stayed relatively the same and it's still affordable and enjoyable but no where near what it used to be. The gnocchi lost some of its flavor and got a little gummy. Bummer :(
(2)
Diana E.

Oh, Mamma. You shouldn't have. Ah, but you did. And you did it well! I've come to Mamma Melina four times over the past year, and every single time, my expectations were exceeded. You don't know me - but this is very tough to do. Today I enjoyed the Scampi alla griglia in pancetta (prawns wrapped in pancetta) and a house salad for lunch. Outstanding! The prawns were huge, meaty, flavorful and perfectly cooked - tender and juicy. I've had prawns wrapped in bacon many, many times, but I might have to try this pancetta business at home next time - it made for a much lighter flavor and left the prawns less greasy than their bacon-wrapped brothers I've had in the past. On previous visits, I've tended to order pasta. Why wouldn't you when it's HOME MADE!? Delicious, al dente pasta is their crowning glory. Chewy. Tender. Delicate. Not too salty. YUM. Their service is amazing and thorough. Wine selection is decent and they are fantastic at recommendations - pairings have always been spot-on. I can't wait to come back. Great place for a quiet dinner for two or a pasta-sharing session with the girls.
(5)
Eileen C.

Always great! We have come to Mamma's for years and it's always such a nice experience. Well trained wait staff, nice menu, good food and wine at a fair price.
(4)
Ariel Z.

This is the second time I've been here since they relocated to this new hip spot, and I have to say, I wouldn't recommend it any more. The food is still decent - though not worth the price, in my opinion - but the service is always slow and not spectacular. This past time, the server forgot a salad and took away someone's beer before they were finished with it. My pizza wasn't bad, but there are much better places for pizza out there. Skip.
(2)
a t.

This was my firs time at Mamma Melina. The food was great. It was probably one of the best Italian restaurant in Seattle. I will take my friend there for her birthday for sure.
(5)
Anne R.

They moved, they remodeled, but the food is still delicious.
(5)
Una B.

Pretty quiet when we came in for lunch. Best thing about this place? HEATED TOILET SEATS oh yes my friends. You would not believe how good this effing felt on what may have been the coldest day in Seattle this year. My brother and sister and I were in the hood after some shopping at a local store just down the road. Starving and quite frankly freezing, we decided to step in. The restaurant is cute, artwork up on the ceilings, white table cloths, and the whole bit. It was a bit off putting to my brother that there were only a few tables occupied, but I partially blame the snow for that. Our server was very nice and efficient (also, very cute! whoo, the body on that one, single guys, pay attention) They were having a 3 course for 15 dollar special. There were 3 choices in each category, so we ended up ordering the entire menu. Overall the food was good, but not really anything special. Apps were a soup, a salad, or a bruschetta. The bruschetta had white beans in it...which provided a bit of an odd textural contrast. For entrees we had a margarita pizza, a chicken dish and a pasta with bolognese sauce. Deserts were a cannoli, panna cotta and tiramisu. Panna cotta was the winner as the cannoli was too sweet for our tastes and I got tired of the tiramisu flavor.
(3)
Tim M.

I walked in here with my girlfriend and the host just stood there looking at us and didn't say anything, so I finally said "Can we sit down or something." Besides the awkward host who forgot how to do his job, the waiter was cool and polite. The bread and basalmic vinegar was so good, but the lasagna was something I could warm up from two kid cousines and throw that on a plate. The bread and balsamic vinegar is what saved this review from a 1-star to a 2-stars.
(2)
Gabe W.

Such a great experience. When we walked in and smelled the wood-burning fireplace, I was hooked. The atmosphere is a perfect combination of clean, modern and rustic...so nice, and a great place for a romantic dinner. I had the handmade gnocchi, which was great. My wife had the saffron risotto, which was even better. And the tiramisu...best I've had, no exaggeration. And I'm a tiramisu addict with high standards. Best of all, it's suitable for couples and families as well. Eat here!
(5)
Opal D.

Tasty food, would have gotten 3 stars except for the grocery-store-bought-disposable salt and pepper shakers, and the waitress not giving me a new fork between appetizers and the entree, as is customarily done (she actually took it off the appetizer plate I left it on as she was clearing that plate and moved it onto my bread plate). Management did a great job on decorating the place but, god is in the details - and I felt like Mamma Melina misses the mark.
(2)
Suzette Y.

I took my son and his girlfriend there for dinner tonight and was really disappointed, I've eaten there several times before and always loved it. We arrived at 9:30, so it wasn't very busy. Waited at the front for about 5 minutes, before anyone acknowledged us. The food was OK, my son and his girlfriend shared a Margherita pizza and a pasta dish(Ling Salmone) Pizza was good, but the pasta had a very fishy taste. The server came to our table four times, once to take our order, 2nd time when he brought my food and glass of wineI ordered a another glass of wine. Never brought it and when I asked for our check he had charged me for it. He said oh they never brought it? I want to know who is they, I was a server for many years. I would be the only one who served my tables,
(2)
William R.

Not a huge yelper or complainer really but certain things bug me. Like not correctly describing the food on there menu. I ordered the $15 dollar spicy three cheese ravioli. When it came it was green spinach pasta raviolis. Not a big deal for most but I really prefer regular pasta. I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew. Also even though they have beer on tap listed on the menu but when I asked the server about beer he said they only had bottled beer. Strange! Overall not a bad place just a little expensive and snooty for my taste.
(3)
A P.

I really like the atmosphere and interior design. The drinks and food were good the first happy hour I went to. But after a year of going here for happy hour they have never changed their menu or special cocktail. A six month or a year change would be good. I don't always want to get a plain marguerite pizza. The bar is always full during happy hour but I know they have a bartender turnover so why not change the special cocktail? Also the plastic seats inside are strange and feel cheap. Some nice seats would be good to go along with everything else.
(3)
Martine M.

I'm giving Mamma Melina Ristorante five stars because they understand the value of customer service! We spent eight long hours driving from the Oregon Coast to Seattle in terrible traffic nearly the whole way. We got in very late and were very hungry. We discovered Mamma Melina on YELP so decided to give them a go. We arrived on a Sunday night with a party of eight people - at 10:15 PM and they closed at 11PM. They treated us very well! The food was excellent and the service embraces what Northwest hospitality is all about!
(5)
Ane P.

Mamma Melina's has definitely changed--it's come a long way from their humble beginnings on the other side of the UW campus. I feel as though they've followed closely in the footsteps of Barolo, and have taken a turn for the modern. Which is good..all things can stand a bit of change, and the decor is gorgeous. The menu has changed again, to being a bit more upscale, and catered to the modern Italian fare. They have a great selection of wines and cocktails, but also some gorgeous communal dining tables. You can reserve some of the semi-private rooms, but keep in mind that you will also need to abide by their preset dinner menu. The outdoor lounge/dining area is perfection during summer months--a seating arrangement that Seattle tends to lack in.
(5)
Adriana K.

After years of driving by the new location, I was finally able to go on a Friday night with a friend. We had made reservations through Open Table (thanks, Yelp!) so we were able to be seated immediately, whereas arriving groups were directed to the bar or outdoor seating (which actually looked really nice with lounge area and tables with umbrellas - not sure what the noise level would be right next to a busy street). As they were busy, with an unusually large group, service was slow, but not painfully. Their cocktails were well made, and focaccia bread a lovely start. Upon the waiters recommendation, I ordered the rigatoni and my friend the short ribs and gorgonzola ravioli. We had run into friends on the way in who ordered take out for their first trip their who reported later it was a bit salty. Which I had to concur with my rigatoni - it was SUPER heavy... I had about 10 bites and was done, I felt so full. The panceta was pretty salty, and I would have liked to have more of the baby zucchini. The food was well made and the pasta so delicious and the dessert menu so tempting, I am interested to check out their happy hour.
(4)
Gilad B.

We really love the owners. They are wonderful people and have an outstanding staff. Now lets talk about the food. My roommate told me "I have never had something I didnt like there" The new location is nice and big but reservations can help. This is a great location and a nice place to grab food in the U-district. PS - try the happy hour.
(4)
Arry Y.

I had been to the old place and wanted to check out the new place so - this review is for the new place. Decor: Very pretty, modern, bright, white furniture, ... it's beautiful. Food: Pretty good, I'd give it 3.5 stars or so. I like the pastas. The bread is not that good... Service: Good. Pleasant. Music: Nothing to rave/write about. The old place was way cooler. It's a nice place to host dinner gatherings with a large (10+) party. But, ... it's not that special anymore. There's nice outdoor seating - I'm sure it's a blast when the weather's nice... The restaurant is okay - nothing to get excited about (anymore)...
(3)
Yen D.

I went here with a friend for restaurant week. The ambiance is definitely more upscale and warm with art hanging from the ceiling. I had the bruschetta with bay shrimp appetizer and my friend had the fried saffron risotto. The bruschetta was decently crisp, but the toppings of the shrimp and squid didn't knock my socks off. The fried risotto ball just tasted like a fried ball of rice with a hint of saffron. Swordfish intermingled with yellow squash on a stick on a bed of oats (couldn't tell what it was on) was on my plate. It just tasted bland. My friend had the orrichete (sp?) pasta with sausage and parmasan on top. It tasted ok, but was definitely something I had at the Olive Garden or at least something similar. Dessert: I had the panna cotta with vanilla sprinkled on top. It was honestly a bit more rubbery than other panna cottas I have had at other restaurant, but still ok. My friend's tiramisu was moist, but it too didn't stand out. I would only eat here if a group of friends dragged me here....
(3)
CB G.

I always sit at the bar when I am in town. Blair is great, knows what I drink and eat. I have been here 1/2 dozen times but it is a great place for the business traveler who is looking for great food at a reasonable price. Thank you Blair for the wonderful hospitality.
(5)
Cait G.

I have heard rave reviews about this place since it opened. Unfortunately, I have to say I'm very disappointed. A group of 12 of us came for my friends birthday on a Wednesday night. They seated us in a lovely back room! We arrived at 6, hoping to hit the tail end of happy hour (until 7). When asked if happy hour was still going, our waitress informed us that it was for another hour in the bar. Before ordering food we wandered the short distance over to the bar tender. Who told us which drinks were available at happy hour prices. We began to order. As the bartender made our drinks, the manager came over and whispered in his ear that he was not allowed to serve us at happy hour prices. This meant that our drinks were already half made when the bar tender turned to us to tell us this news. I was pretty appalled that the manager could not have at least informed us directly rather than having the bartender tell us after our drinks had already been poured. That's just bad service. In case you were wondering, our whiskey sour was $8. I don't mind paying that much, but come on. Don't tell us one price then change your mind half way through. I will not be returning.
(2)
Julie N.

First time here and I have to say, great service and atmosphere! I was cheerfully welcomed by the staff who promptly asked me what I wanted to drink. The decor was interesting with paintings framed upside down on their ceilings, candlelit tables, and tall pitchers of water. I was recommended by a friend to order the Penne con salmone e polpa di granchio and was beyond satisfied. It is pasta with crabs and salmon. The portion was just enough for me to finish (being the slow eater that I am, I was surprise to clean that plate and not be the last one eating!) and come back another day!
(5)
Nazanin R.

Been here twice for lunch so far. The food is fantastic. The smoked salmon farfalle in cream I had today was particularly delish. Nice wine list, too. Each time the service was excellent (a guy who I think is the manager was a particular standout). My friend is lactose intolerant and ordered something on accident that had dairy in it, they took it back apologetically and made her a new one, even though she had made the mistake of ordering the wrong thing. All in all, I look forward to coming back many more times.
(5)
Lisa A.

My hubby and I caught the early happy hour and I was very pleased. They only do HH at the bar or on the outside patio, but ONLY on the couches. It was a nice summer day, so we opted to sit outside on the couches. For HH, the wine selections were basic, but they offer great specials on food, which is what we came for anyway. Everything on the bar menu is is half off and some of the 12" pizzas are only $6 and they are large. I had a glass of pinot, and for food we had the eggplant parm, meatballs, margarita pizza, salad and tiramisu for dessert. All of which added up to $35. We also ended up boxing up some of the pizza for later. Everything was really tasty, although my only note is that they go super heavy on the sauces. It ended up being ok, however, since we dipped our pizza crust in the extra sauce! The service was excellent and I will be back to try their full dinner menu!
(4)
Samantha E.

I can't believe I forgot to review Mamma Melina! i have been here twice-- once during Happy Hour and once for Seattle Restaurant Week. Their Happy Hour is fantastic-- twice a day, with both food and drink specials. What's especially nice is that the wine special rotates, so you can get a consistently inexpensive bottle of wine that isn't always the same thing, and isn't cheap in a gross kind of way. The bruschetta was great if a little bit messy to eat, and the eggplant on the bar menu is to die for. A friend had the ravioli (I think) and said they were good, too. Service was super friendly too-- the waitress let me save seats at the bar for a bit and didn't make me feel awkward about how I showed up twenty minutes before my friends did accidentally. Everything we had at Seattle Restaurant Week was great. Whoever thought of frying risotto with saffron for an appetizer is a genius. I had the ragu pasta for my entree, and even though it was a little bit dry (could have used more sauce) the flavor was great and I enjoyed it. Dessert was less memorable, illustrated by the fact that I can't remember what I ordered, but I do remember liking it. I never went to the old location so I can't comment on the change, but I have to save I love the feel of this place.
(5)
Jordan I.

Mamma Melina has the best happy hour in the U District and one of the best that I've had in Seattle! Everything is so fairly priced and it's a fun place to go with friends. I'm a big fan of the ziti ai formaggi, which is basically grown-up mac 'n' cheese with crab and prawns (I don't love prawns, so I get it without and they're always so accommodating). My only complaint is that when I had it last night, it was way too salty. I almost had trouble finishing it and should have sent it back but didn't think to/I was really hungry, hehe. The waitress, Tracy, is always so nice and seems to remember that I come in sometimes. Overall, love Mamma Melina, especially for happy hour!
(4)
Alex S.

Gnocchi for the win. Agreed with some of the other comments, never really had something here that I didn't like. Still, it's a little modern for Italian food, but the ambiance is great, price is pretty modest and so far, service has been steller - in both locations. New location... I definitely recommend reserving your seats.
(5)
Jeannie H.

Meh. ATMOSPHERE - They've made this into a trendy environment with contemporary decor but still maintain some level of coziness with artwork and eclectic light fixtures. The plastic chairs are horribly rigid and uncomfortable. The music is a little on the loud side. SERVICE - Perfectly fine. FOOD - Antipasto misto (Antipasto array to chef's whim) - Proscuitto, salami, mozzarella, tomatoes, and some grilled vegetables. Nothing exciting. Spaghetti alla Vongole (Manila clams, grape tomatoes, aglio e olio) - Spaghetti was nicely al dente but the clams were spartan and microscopic in size. It was light dish but bland and lacking in the richness of clam flavour. Torta alle Pere (White wine poached pear baked with almond cream golden brown served with vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce) - The almond cream was really bland and the crust was boggy. This was not a good dessert. Overall, decent atmosphere, moderate prices, but very mediocre food. I won't be back.
(3)
Winston P.

Came here recently for SRW with the family for lunch. It was a solid meal, good quantity, quality and a very good value. We especially liked the soup, chicken entree, and the desserts. Gnocchi was ok, but quite heavy. Nice service, and did well to accommodate our young kids.
(4)
Ed Y.

took my gf here for v-day dinner the day before valentines, we made reservation but still had to wait for a table, albeit not too long. The atomosphere was nice but the music was so loud we had a hard time hearing each other... we ordered salad to start, which were petite in portion but nicely flavored and fresh, for entree i had the beef shoulder and her a pasta dish...i felt the beef was under-seasoned and tough for medium rare, but the sauce was pretty good. Price was a bit high for what you get. the waitress was nice enough though...
(3)
Kermit A.

A great new location! Very updated and clean. Came with no expectations and was really satisfied. August was a great server, had the best recommendations! We will be back
(5)
Christie J.

My coworkers and I came here after staffing a workshop to celebrate the completion of a hard working weekend. They were nice enough to take us late in the evening. I ordered the lobster and gluten free pasta. The lobster was great and the pasta wasn't bad for gluten free. The best part was the wine as the waitress was very helpful in guiding us to what kind we would like. It's not every day we can purchase a very nice wine, so I was grateful for the experience. The dessert was fun and very delicious. Overall I am very happy with the place. I don't know how often I would go as it is a touch expensive for regular eating, but for special occassions it's really great!
(4)
Amy M.

Went with my parents to the new Mamma Melina location. The space is enorme and it was PACKED. The server told us it was the biggest crowd they have had since they reopened in their new space. The server was very nice and good at what she did while she was at the table. Typical of any restaurant opening in Seattle, the waitstaff was overwhelmed by the crowd and we waited quite a while for second pours of wine and our entrees. Nevertheless, I'm sure they'll figure it out and the service was good when it was there. Pre-dinner, we started with bread, calamari and red wine. This place has identical appetizers to those at Barolo. The calamari was the same; pretty good, would have been better if served shortly after it was cooked, though the marinari was nice, light and spicy. I'm not a fan of the bread Barolo or MM serves pre-dinner, it's v. unremarkable table bread. Dinner was the standout. I had the spaghetti with lobster tail, mussels and clams. I really enjoyed it, the lobster and pasta were perfectly cooked (I HATE the non-al dente/uncooked pasta trend in Seattle; nudge nudge Tavolata). The portion wasn't huge either, which is a big plus in my book--I'm not trying to pay by the pound for pasta. My father was less enamored of his veil scallopini, though I noticed he had no problems finished his entire plate. I wouldn't come back here with parents, because the noise generated by the size of the room, polished cement floors and the birthday party behind us was so great that it was almost a shouting match. Stressful for parents, and perhaps even more stressful for kids who have picked the restaurant. Otherwise, would be a fun place to come with friends. I suspect this will become a 4-5 star venue once they work out their opening kinks.
(3)
Paul B.

This place is amazing, and I am so surprised that I haven't been here sooner. We called for a reservation the same day for a group of three, got there five minutes early, and got seated immediately. Every person from host, to waiter, to musician greeted us with a smile. Ambiance was dark, intimate, a bit noisy - but that bustling adds character and energy to the place. The paint on the walls reminds me of restaurants I've been to in Italy and really brings you there too. Also, I'm not sure if this is true, but it seemed to me that this place was family run. The host was a dark haired Italian guy and all the waitresses looked the same. There was also an old man in a suit walking around getting the preferential treatment - probably the patriarch. I really liked this whole scenario, and it made the experience of eating here more worthwhile. As for the food, it is hands down the best Italian food in the U.Dist. Food came out somewhat slow, but the quality and flavor was immaculate. Don't expect Olive Garden pricing here, it's more but delicious. Last thing I want to mention is the waiter service. The woman who served us was extremely helpful, fast, and kept us fed and amused all night long. We never ran out of free bread and our waters were never empty. She came to frequently check up and we felt pampered without being to smothered. Kudos to the service here!
(5)
Valerie R.

We waited a long time to order and waited even longer for our food, albeit was busy. But we waited all this time for disappointing food. The food was bland and could barely eat it. Our waiter was too busy to serve us well. She was rushed and barely waited on us. I miss the old Mamma Melina where you got great food and service as well as a piano player.
(1)
Brian T.

Decided to go have dinner at Mamma Melina's before reading any Yelp reviews, just to spice things up. Poor decision. This place has a nice atmosphere to it. It has a large clean patio for outdoor seating and garage style doors that make the inner portion of the restaurant accessible to the outside. That's where the compliments really end. The service was pretty atrocious. It always seemed like waiter/waitresses were walking around but no one stopped to see what we needed or how we were doing. In fact, one member in our dinner party requested something from the waitress about 2 feet away from her and got the cold shoulder. Hearing blocked! I started with a caesar salad, which I was told was one of the better salads on the menu (the other being the beet salad). The lettuce came out withered and soggy. Not a good salad by any stretch of the imagination. For my entree I had the Lasagnette... small lasagna? A friend ordered the same thing. Another friend had a steak dish. After taking two bites from my lasagna I instantly thought it tasted familiar... very familiar. So familiar I was getting flash backs about eating on $.50/can with Chef Boyardee. It tasted JUST LIKE chef boyardee ravioli. I'm not even sure how that's possible. I didn't say anything as part of me was trying to preserve what little atmosphere the place had left. Not 10 seconds later, my friend who also ordered the lasagna goes "Hey, does this taste like Chef Boyardee to you?" HOLY CRAP. YES. It was uncanny how premier lasagna with "fresh ground washington beef" could taste JUST LIKE chef boyardee goodness. Don't get me wrong. I like chef boyardee and ate my entire plate... but I would have expected to pay a $1 for my meal as well. How the hell did they do that? I'm more intrigued by how they were able to so meticulously recreate the chef boyardee taste, than to dwell on the poor service. In other news, my other friend said the steak was ok. He also agreed on the chef boyardee assessment though after giving him a sample. Avoid this place unless you want to pay 15x as much for safeway canned italian.
(1)
Corah O.

Very tasty! Loved the decor
(4)
Jeanette N.

this pizza is the best pizza i have ever had. the crust id crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the sauce is delicous becasue it is not overpowering and goes well with the ooey gooey cheese. its quite a long drive to get there from where i live but is definitely well worth it.
(5)
Amanda D.

Had I written a review on the Ristorante Mamma Melina that was on Roosevelt, it would have received 5 stars from me. However, the new location is nothing special. The intimacy of the quaint, brick restaurant is gone. The piano was one of the best and unique aspects, and that too is gone. With the change in location, the menu also completely changed. All of my favorite meals were gone. The service was the worst. We were not offered additional bread (which was like sandwich bread) , and waited with nothing for a good 15 minutes until the appetizer arrived. We sat without water for half of our meal and were not checked on until after our food was gone and our server was bringing us the check. I had been to the old restaurant dozens of times and never experienced bad service. Furthermore, we were charged a dollar more for a meal than was advertised on the menu. I am really disappointed with the change in location of one of my favorite restaurants and will probably not be back.
(2)
Steve F.

Nice dinner the other night for six of us. Good atmosphere and well executed service. Peroni on draft was a nice touch and was super fresh and delicious. Everyone in our group was very happy with their dish. Portion sizes were a tad smaller then you might expect but that was offset by the high caliber of the dishes. I had the spaghetti alla vongole which is one of my all time favorite dishes which I was introduced to living in Sicily. Mamma Melina's is the closest I've had to the versions I would eat in Sicily. They struck the correct balance of al dente spaghetti, great olive oil, perfectly cooked garlic, the right amount of red pepper, finely chopped parsley, and wonderful appropriately sized fresh manilla clams. I'll be back for that dish for sure!!! Loved the pana cotta desert as well.
(4)
Contact C.

This is my favorite Italian joint in Seattle. I would just go there to eat the bread. The shell fish makes takes me to niravana (ask for the red sauce). The staff is just amazing. I never had to wait for a table, and I'm not a VIP.
(5)
Clint W.

There wasn't anything outstanding about this place. At first blush, it seemed like a nice homestyle italian restaurant. But it didn't seem to get better after that. We were seated quickly and we started with an inexpensive chianti. That came swiftly. The food that came was just ordinary. Nothing to knock our socks off, although it wasn't tremendously expensive for us to dine there either. No frills menu and no frills food. It's probably a good place to take your kids for a family meal out.
(2)
Don M.

This place was delicious. I had the crab/smoke salmon pasta for the main course and butternut squash soup with truffle oil for an appetizer. The wine list was amazing and I had this fruity tart thingy. ( best description ever I know) the only reason they lost a star was
(4)
Tilly M.

Great happy hour. Food is consistently tasty. Dinner wasn't as good as lunch. And lunch special prices have gone up so it's not such a great deal. Waitress Tracey in the bar is fabulous.
(4)
Kasia W.

Went here on a Tuesday night, and there was plenty of seating available, but not empty. They are participating this year in the 30 for 30 dine around seattle, and I was tempted to order of the short menu, but decided finally to go off the standard. I was REALLY craving Chicken Marsala, which is not officially on the menu, but they have a veal with mushrooms in marsala wine, for which they were happy to substitute chicken. It was a rough day, so I also ordered a glass of wine. My co-diner ordered the pizza margarita. And the two of us split a butter leaf lettuce salad (with goat cheese and hazelnuts). Plenty of water at the table. The meal started out with a small amount of bread (warm) and a bowl of olive oil. When the salad arrived, we were surprised to find that they actually took the time to split and properly present the portion onto two plates (I actually asked if we had gotten two salads by mistake). It was very good, the perfect start to a meal. Dinner was also presented in a very appetizing manner. I had a few blocks of grilled polenta drizzled with bell-pepper sauce, a grilled bell pepper piece, asparagus, and then one chicken breast covered with mushrooms and the sauce. My date's pizza arrived and looked huge. So, it looked good, but was it actually delicious? I was very pleased with my meal, with the exception that the sauce for the Chicken Marsala was a bit saltier than it needed to be (but next time I'll just order low sodium). My date remarked that he's never had a pizza so thin. I tried, and was amazed. I swear that in the body of the pizza I wouldn't be able to tell there was crust at all except for knowing that it was the thing that held all the flavors together. This, combined with a real side crust (usually it's either all thin or all thick), here it was about a 1/3 inch thick and crunchy. Even though it's been a few days, I'm still not sure if my date or I had the better entree. We decided against having desert that night, but I look forward to going back and trying some of their tiramisu or cannoli. The best part of the meal was that both myself and my date (who ate that huge pizza all my himself) were not rolling out stuffed to the gills about to collapse into food comas, but pleasantly satiated. Other details: The serving staff was very polite and knowledgeable about wine enough to help me pick what I wanted that night. There were some people there with kids, and the kids seemed to have fun, but not at the cost of all the other diners. There are two rooms on the side of the restaurant that can be used for groups (each fitting about 15- 25 tightly packed) people, so you could totally have a nice group get-together. Some music was playing the in background, but it helped set the scene for a romantic dinner rather than detracted from it. Lastly, since this place has tons of windows, there's no room on the walls for paintings. Here they solved this problem by putting the paintings up on the ceiling. It's perhaps unorthodox, but it's subtle enough that you can have fun watching those not in the know discovering the decoration.
(5)
John M.

Well, what to say? Bigger is not always better. Mamma Melina on Roosevelt was one my favorite comfort food places. Their chicken marsala was to die for. So when I found out that they had some lease issues and were moving to the new complex near the U-Village it was bittersweet; a farther walk but perhaps a more captive audience (good for them). They've been open less than a week and it shows. The front of the house seemed overwhelmed with the influx of customers and the main floor was humming with servers serving too many tables. The food: the menu seemed quite different. No coveted chicken marsala. I had the seared scallops with red pepper sauce and sauteed spinach. What I loved about Mamma Melina was their simple presentation and attention to detail (even their carrots and broccoli were splendid). Getting my food I was immediately disappointed with the portion size. The scallops were $22 (I got three) and came with some overdone roasted potatoes and spinach that tasted like it was sitting in a heat pan. The scallops and red pepper sauce were great but the fact that the potatoes and spinach seemed like an afterthought was extremely disappointing. Again, the portion size was very small. In the past their food was rich and full of flavor that a smaller portion wasn't a big deal because of the deepness of the dish. This wasn't the case here. We ordered a bottle of wine that took a while to locate. It was Tuesday and we half expected it to be half off (like wine was at the Roosevelt location). Not the case. Full price. The decor has shifted from the quaint, neighborhood feel of the Roosevelt location to a more modern, open feel on 25th. It feels more like a place that people will stop by for happy hour than a dark neighborhood jaunt. Unfortunate. Desert was a good poached pear tart and the drip coffee was hot, fresh, and delicious. If I went in there blindfolded there is not a chance I would guess this was Mamma Melina. I know it's not exactly fair to give a beloved restaurant two stars just because they moved but I wasn't expecting a new restaurant. I was expecting a new location. I hope it's just growing pains.
(2)
Elizabeth V.

Move over to the village in credit to improve interior with artwork all in two places. Better for different tastes to serve each person about birthdays too! Varied wines list expensivly from low prices at entrees primi & secondi; on to try some antipasti and on final dolce varities to share some different desserts! Pizzas as thin neopolitan kinds to start for larger groups.
(5)
Sarah C.

Went here for happy hour & was impressed by the friendly service (seems to be lacking in many places these days). My friend also had her birthday dinner here & they were very good to work with & were very accommodating when the party grew by almost 50%. Food was good, but didn't really impress. Although, they do have Manini's gluten free pasta, which is my favorite and they didn't even blink when I asked that my dish be made without the cream sauce since I can't have dairy either. Overall, really great service with a fun, swanky atmosphere.
(4)
R E.

The dinner menu appears a little overpriced for what you get, but the happy hour is great. It used to be spectacular but quality has declined a bit in the last six months. It is still by far the best happy hour in the area, especially after 9PM. Just about everything on the happy hour menu is good. The happy hour house wines are surprisingly good.
(4)
Angie K.

Tried Mamma Melina for a Saturday late night happy hour. I love nothing more than an upscale happy hour, and Mamma Melina did not disappoint. The food was great - somewhat small portions in the bar, but when you are paying half price you can't complain. We had four plates of food and three glasses of wine between us, were fully satisfied for around $40 including tip. The ambience is swank enough that you will want to put on your nicer pair of jeans, or dress a little nicer than jeans. But it is not SO upscale as to be intimidating or too fancy. They had a great looking deck outside and comfortable seating inside as well. We sat at a marble topped communal table in the bar and felt very fancy with our glasses of happy hour wine and small to medium plates. We tried: Calamari - definitely go for those Meatballs - two large-ish meatballs - good flavor Antipasto plate - a nice plate of cured meats, olives, etc. Might skip this next time in favor of some of the other items Spicy ravioli - four large ravioli - very good but will try something else next time Their red sauce was bright and flavorful. I spied a real old fashioned pizza oven and definitely want to try the pizza next time. Overall a great experience, will definitely come back for late night happy hour, as they were not very full. Probably will try dinner or lunch here sometime as well!
(4)
Amanda L.

A tasty happy hour (normal and late night, 9-11pm) away from the Ave and slightly outside U-village proper. $6 full size pizzas and $4glass/$14 bottle wine. The Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio were both nice (I don't recommend the Rose). All the bar menu food is also half off, but if you're hungry, the pizza is the best deal as most of the items are small, especially the salad ($3 on hh). The Rigatoni is also pretty good sized. Just a warning, read the item descriptions carefully. My husband assumed the meatballs came with pasta. Nope! They're just two big meatballs (in not that spicy sauce). They have covered parking and a bike rack around the corner. I usually bike here since it's right off the Burke Gilman.
(4)
Carly L.

What a great date spot! I have walked by the place for years, when I used to get my tan on at Tubs, stumbling back home from Dantes, or after catching a movie. I always wanted to go, and tonight was my lucky night! Such ambiance.. darkish lighting, and I loved my first impression. Our server was highly attentive and was glad to give us suggestions. I had a glass of the house Chianti, which was delicious. My date had a girly drink that I won't mention since it was silly. We split a spinach salad with prosciutto, goat cheese and a delish vinaigrette, which we both enjoyed. He ate a linguine with shellfish for dinner, and I had the gnocchi with a rose sauce. YUM. I was loving mine, and I took some home for leftovers. For dessert we split a bread pudding, with cranberries, apples baked into this warm piece of heaven, topped with vanilla ice cream. It was actually very light, but very full of flavor. I am really glad I was able to try this restaurant, and will definitely come back.
(5)
David T.

I have gone to this restaurant, both before they moved and after. I really like their food and they make a very delicious Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo if you ask for it (not on their menu but I was craving it one day and asked). I do miss their live musician though - The first time we went to the old location we heard him play and sing, and loved it. Every time we went back however, we never managed to be at the right time to hear him... and now we can't... ahh well. The new decor is in my opinion pretty cool, I like having such a spacious room with much natural light and a very modern feel. I especially like the paintings, which are hung flat on the ceiling to allow the wall space to be mostly windows. The prices are a little high, but the food is worth it.
(4)
John S.

This place is not the best!! But it is above decent and has potential. The furniture is terrible the the chandeliers are tacky. Interior design is really good but it looks like they ran over budget towards the end of construction. Outside looked nice....I will sit there next time if its summer. We showed at 8pm and they had a 1 hour wait for any table. I was staying at hotel across the street. Made reservations for 9 pm. Italian restaurant? It may be but we didn't order popular Italian dishes. I had their Filet Mignon: Awesome grade of beef (prime or better). Cooked perfectly at medium rare. The one potato (1.75 inch diameter) they cooked for me was a Yukon gold. Good choice but one of the halves was slightly burnt, thus over salty, other half good. The 3 baby asparagus were cooked perfectly. Soft with a crisp. My date had the prawns. they were very good. Peeled 100% except the tail. Very nice. cooked well yet a lil too salty... still really good. We had a bottle of red and I had a cannoli. Overall a good experience with food. $100 for two people ordering main courses only($120 w/tip). In my 10 years of restaurant experience, I feel that they are a bit overpriced OR they should concentrate on their minor lack of quality. Especially for the most expensive plates on the menu. Service was adequate. I think he forgot that I ordered wine since he disappeared, then showed up expecting us to be ready to order. Not a big deal to me since we were ready, but I could see that being in issue..... so I ordered and reminded him of the vino!! I will try this place again and actually try the "Italian" style plates.
(3)
Nick E.

This place is not super flashy, and not in a very upscale area, so I suppose it gets passed by more often than many other, fancier-looking Italian restaurants. However, it is the most authentic (okay I'm an American and have never been to Italy, so this could be ignorant) Italian restaurant that I have ever been to. I mean they had an old Italian dude playing an accordion inside the restaurant. That won me over at least. The food was on point. Like super on point. I had a spaghetti-based dish and it was a win for sure. If I ever want Italian food, I will go here. Word.
(5)
Wilson C.

mamma melilna's is probably one of the best italian places i've been to in seattle. good food, good atmosphere and friendly staff make this place great. was there for vday and instead of their regular menu, they had a fixed three course menu. awesome starter with a portabello breschetta and for the main course chose the gnocchi after hearing good things about it. wasn't disappointed at all. came with a cream sauce and some wild salmon. completely delicious! dessert was a cheesecake with strawberry. nothing to write about, but i was completely stuffed at that point so wasn't a deal breaker on this end. been to mamma melina's other times as well when it was just for normal dinners. completely satisfying as well.
(4)
Sovannary S.

I've been wanting to go here for awhile, when I finally came here i was dissappointed all around. First off the hostess seemed lost, she wasn't welcoming at all. The food was just ALRIGHT and the servers, well I think I could have served myself. I never saw her once after we got our food, and I wanted cheese! BF had to get up and find someone, BUT there was no one around. The chairs are plastic and super uncomfortable.
(2)
Dan A.

This classy, corner restaurant delivered a great evening of food, friends, wine and live music! The entire staff were courteous and accommodating to our large group, in an already full house. Our orders were handled professionally and the service was accurate and speedy. I never felt neglected or rushed, and the food was artfully prepared in a deliciously authentic style. Pros: Quality food, authentic flavor, above average service, moderately priced, fun atmosphere, good for groups Cons: Cannot provide separate checks for groups, limited street parking.
(5)
David G.

Unfortunately this place did not live up to my expectations. I had the cheese plate and the waitress didn't tell me what cheeses were on the plate. That aside the plate itself lacked any kind of excitement. There were 6 almonds, a small bowl of what tasted like watered down smuckers, and 3 types of cheese. The cheeses were brie, a blue which wasn't bad, and some kind of semi-soft cheese with red pepper in it - I wasn't able to determine what this last cheese was. My mom had the Fettucine with meat sauce which was good save for the pasta being under done. My Dad had the lasagna and he reported the noodles being soggy, and having no firmness in them at all. Seems like an Italian joint should be able to pull off pasta without error. The atmosphere of this place was nice, the wait staff was pleasant, and prompt. I just didn't care for the fare.
(2)
Angela S.

The new location really puts it over the edge for me. This place is fantastic! It's great for summer nights on the patio, but bring some sunglasses. The food is delicious as ever (I LOVE the Italian cheese appetizer! It comes with this amazing raspberry sauce... SO GOOD), and even though there's no more live music, it's still a great dining experience. Any time we have out-of-town visitors, we take them to Mamma Melina. We also just go sometimes to treat ourselves! I highly recommend it.
(5)
Jenn T.

First of all, they have the best Riesling here. There might a great selection of Asian cuisine in the University District, but good Italian food? Not so much. Mama Melina on 47th and Roosevelt fills that void. It's a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, so it doesn't look that special on the outside. Here's a secret: it makes for a fantastic dinner date. The walls are painted (looks like fresco almost) with seascape murals, there's a touch of arch architecture, and even a guy playing a piano who kind of looks like Elton John... from really far away. He takes requests. This charming little restaurant seems to transport you to another place, and yet, somehow it also makes you feel right at home. I've only ever had the Fettuccine Paglia e Fieno. This is a mushroom lover's delight. The sauce is a little too rich, but the portions are definitely hearty and make for fabulous leftovers. I've tried bits of other entrees my friends have ordered. So far I haven't tasted anything bad. Overall, the food here is great - bread, wine, pasta, dessert and all. Definitely try the Tiramisu.
(4)
Peg O.

This is a great place. The service was quick and attentive. Atmosphere with white tablecloths and soft music was elegant. Bread with balsamic and oil was tasty. My salad and then spaghetti with meatballs was delicious. We were just leaving when happy hour was beginning. Definitely returning for food and happy hour.
(5)
Nancy S.

My friend recommended this place for dinner and I must say the food is really good here. I really like the atmosphere and how everything is laided out. It's very trendy and spacious! Usually I go into restaurants and I feel like the tables are just too close to each others which doesnt leave much for privacy. I had the Linguine with salmon and crab which was just delightful! For dessert, I had the tiramisu cake which is amazingly good! It almost taste simiar to the tiramisu at Tutta Bella. I would definately recommend this place to others and I will definately be going back to dine there again.
(4)
Becky M.

Every time I go (well, I've only been twice so far) the food is amazing! Last night I went for Seattle Restaurant Week and enjoyed three courses from their special menu for the SRW. The soup was awesome (I'm a fennel fan so I loved the light fennel flavor in it); the lasagna was superb (just the right amount of spinach), and the tiramisu was excellent (slightly different than other tiramisu's I've had- loved the creamy-ness). Would highly recommend checking it out- anytime or SRW!
(4)
Danielle W.

Oh do I love Italian food? Why yes, yes I do! You know what else I love?? Awesomely attentive service! Every single staff member (from the server, to the guy who refilled our water, to the owner) made my boyfriend and I feel super special and comfortable. I got the penne with smoked mozzarella and eggplant...SO GOOD! Exploding with flavors, and steaming hot. Also got the bread pudding desert and nearly died stuffing ourselves with the custard cream puddle it was sitting in. I think I ate at least 3 days worth of calories, but it was worth every morsel! This place is so so so cozy and romantic, it would be a perfect date spot and delicious! Love it!
(5)
Hannah P.

I usually avoid Italian restaurants like the plague thanks to the over-Americanization of everything good about Italian food (*cough* Olive Garden). But Mamma Melina has to be one of the best in it's class of little, inexpensive eateries. Which is exactly the kind of place you would expect to land on in the nooks and crannies of the U-district. The six of us showed up without reservations on a Saturday night and were quoted a one hour wait. As we were discussing our options, the host comes outside to find us and tell us he could put something together in twenty minutes. THEN the host even offered us menus and took our order while we were waiting so our food would arrive when we sat. The service inside the restaurant was equally outstanding and prompt, with all members of the team helping at one time or another. I got the marsala chicken and tried the Risotto with seared scallops, the mozzarella and eggplant pasta and the rigatoni with Italian sausage. All were fantastic and the risotto was so good that scraped every bit of sauce from the plate! We shared Bruschetta, which was good and very fresh but not amazing. The only downfall is the bread service. It was just cooked and sliced pizza dough, which by itself is pretty bland and gets tough unless it's piping hot. The decor is warm and creates a soothing ambiance compared to the lovely graffitied buildings across the street. The piano player was stellar. He can play literally any request you have and played "Sounds of Silence" in Italian, no less... So I give Mamma Melina four stars because we each payed less then $16 for our food and definitely got our money's worth in service and quality. I want to go back today!!!
(4)
Karen W.

This has become my go to lunch restaurant. For $15 you get an appetizer, entree, and a desert. The restaurant is always clean and staff is dressed and ready for work. They rotate the lunch menu. YAH! (time to take gnocchi off) Best Tiramisu in town! They use a good amount of seasoning and their coffee is good to boot.
(4)
Paull S.

Can't wait to go again! The pizza, atmosphere, and service were excellent. Worth all five stars and more.
(5)
Mary C.

Had lunch here on a gorgeous sunny Tuesday. We wanted to be seated outside but still be in the shade. Everyone else had the same idea! The shaded tables were all taken so we sat in a table with full sun. We asked if they could move an umbrella for us so some of us would be in the shade. The waitress came back and told us they can not move the umbrella. After having a pretty delicious lunch but in the sun for an entire hour with no water (they can't seem to find time to refill our water the entire time), we saw a lady walked in, sat in a table with full sun and then had an umbrella moved for her so she was in the shade. When we questioned, we were explained that they have rules about not moving the umbrella most of the time.... yeah.. great rule. Then our left over pizza was packed squashed in a little box (despite most of the pizza was left over) while the next table got theirs packed in a full size takeout pizza box. Decent food but such poor experience, would rather eat somewhere else.
(2)
Kandice K.

Amazing. The new location is spectacular, in an almost, but not quite, over the top kind of way. I'm a big fan of clean, open and modern. My man, not such a fan. He was a big fan of the old dark, tight, homey location. But even he couldn't find a thing to complain about at the new spot. We went on a Sunday night, about 3 days after they opened. They were PACKED, but got us into a table at the bar quickly. Our server was nice and attentive and never looked like she was stressed. The owner chatted with us to make sure we liked the wine he had suggested in place of a bottle that they had run out of. Another owner shook our hand on the way out and wanted to make sure everything was good. And boy was it good. Really, really good. Light and delicate pasta? But still satisfying and filling? I don't know how but they manage to do it. But they do it. Very well.
(5)
Grace S.

Sometimes the "old guard" dislikes change for the sake of keeping with old ideas. And sometimes change, for the sake of change, isn't an improvement. This restaurant is a shell of its former self. Mamma Melina, which once felt like an old friendly and fun Italian restaurant that served excellent food with good service, had happy customers and piano player blaring customer requests has turned into an upscale, over priced cold and stark restaurant without a shred of warmth, the former menu or the great pasta sauce they once had. Who paints an Italian restaurant gray anyway? Who paints any restaurant gray? The good food and reasonably priced menu has paired down and gotten "chic," a fine improvement if the food is really great and worth the price. Which it is not. The beet salad was very good. Some of the other items OK. Pasta dishes a disappointment. Previously friendly servers keeping it real have been replaced by tie-wearing waiters (ours was overly formal and not very familiar with the menu). I'll give them a break because they're new, but they should be better informed and dinner should not be a two-hour experience, if you don't want it to be. If a restaurant is going to completely reinvent itself, may want to examine what once made it so popular. This place now has a parking garage (but no entrance to the restaurant--you'll still have to walk around the building outside). It has a great looking deck. A sunny day on the deck with a glass of wine might be in the future, but I'm afraid we'll go elsewhere the next time we want Italian food. Too bad as it was a favorite.
(2)
Cole W.

The only reason I give this place four stars instead of five is because I was slightly disappointed with the salad sizes ( especially for the price) and the drink menu ( and the "toni" drink sizes. The salad was GREAT tasting.... I just wish there were more than 3 bites. I ordered the lamb and it was hands down amazing. It was the most tender lamb I have ever had. It was still on the bone served with veggies and something like mashed potatoes...... it was great! We had tiramisu for dinner which as you guessed it.... great!
(4)
Miss B.

My Neapolitan Italian Instructor recommended this restaurant as somewhere in Seattle to get good Italian food. I always enjoyed our visits to the old Roosevelt location because of the close location, never having to wait for a table, the charming/off decor, the intimate atmosphere, and the warm staff and food. I once tried to try the new location, but was introduced to a 30min wait.. for the bar. I understood - I didn't have a reservation and the new restaurant had just opened with quite a buzz. I went back tonight armed with a reservation. My boyfriend and I were promptly seated at a window table. I faced in towards the beautifully decorated restaurant, but my boyfriend faced the street ... the street that reminded him (and me) that were were in a condo surrounded by chains. While the new restaurants interior is lovely, I feel like Mamma Melina lost some of her charm by selecting this location and trading in what was perfectly good for new. But I am not going to deduct points for the interior space or location because it was inevitable that this little gem was going to want some bigger (and newer) shoes eventually and good for them! Continuing, our dinning experience was good. Our food arrived in a timely manner, the proportions appeared to be the same as always (just larger plates), and the food was and always has been consistently good, but not out of this world. The only thing that I felt was missing was that same attentiveness that was always present at the old location. They didn't appear to be understaffed, but it seemed like people were stretched. Think back to selecting fast-pace for your Oregon trail wagon in the computer lab ... you never made it out alive. Anyway, I am rooting for Mamma Melina because it is still a more unique restaurant and deserves the community's support from the evil chains surrounding it. The food has been consistently good for me, and while I don't entirely like the new vibe I understand that sometimes that's just what you have to do to stay alive. Too bad they moved farther away me ... meaning less frequent visits from me in the future, but I wish them well.
(4)
Roxane N.

When I was here a few years ago this place was loud. I don't trust the noise rating of Average.
(3)
Joseph C.

Same story as everyone else. I used to go here on occasion when they were on 50th and Roosevelt. Very cozy Italian restaurant kind of feel in the old location. The new location is much more modern and hip -- very yuppie. But that's not where it ends. The prices seem more expensive than I remember. The portions seem smaller than I remember. The food was reasonably tasty, I suppose. Basically I left hungry and disappointed at the size of the bill. Oh, also, funny story. To the oblivious (like me), there's a small chance you may walk into the wrong bathroom if you're a guy. The table I was at had a view of the women's bathroom door, which is stylized fairly modern. However, it's not that it's the women's bathroom when viewed by itself. When seen side by side with the men's bathroom door (which is opposite of the women's bathroom but not visible from where I was seated), it becomes obvious. Needless to say, I made this mistake (along with a friend who went with me) and eventually realized my faux pas when I noticed there wasn't a urinal.
(2)
Kayleigh E.

My boyfriend took me here for Valentines day and I loved everything about it. The atmosphere is romantic. Soft lighting, piano music, close tables. Yes it was a little loud because people talk over the music but that's ok. The best part was the food. By far the best Italian food I have ever eaten. It was perfectly cooked. I have never had pasta that was seriously al dente. It was perfect I tell you! The bread they serve before hand was soft and warm. The caesar salad was dressed just the right amount. The waiter was attentive and friendly. It was a lovely time. And I will tell anyone who asks that this is where the best Italian food is. New location to come is in a wayyyy better neighborhood. Look forward to visiting it when it opens.
(5)
Theresa T.

Let me keep this as brief as possible - I absolutely LOVED (past tense) the old Mamma Melina I knew for 10+ years on 50th and Roosevelt. The food was simply divine. There was no other way to describe it. I finally went to the new location yesterday. Wow, what a bad bad change. They upgraded size to fit more lemmings, and jacked up prices. Food quality has suffered and I cannot say that even the presentation resembled the old cozy rustic restaurant that I spent so many great evenings in. I was literally sad while having that meal in the new location. The bread changed from the delicious flatbread to this square chunk stuff which is not nearly as good. Little things, such as the generic salt/paper shakers from the grocery store were cheese-ball. Who does that at an "authentic" italian restaurant. Paintings on the ceilings? Loud impersonal music? Prices on the menu increased by ~40% on average for most dishes still available from the old location. The food? Well the food came out and it was just ok at best. By the way, the old menu is also mostly unavailable as they changed chef's. Dissapointing to say the least. I am sad and truly miss the old place I loved so much. I hope you're happy Mamma, you traded in the great home cooked Italian meal for the $ like everyone else. Now I will never return.
(2)
Victoria C.

Eaten here on several occasions and different times: lunch, HH, dinner, and always had great service! fast, reliable, friendly enough, and the food has been consistently delicious!
(5)
Julie N.

Wow - one of the best meals I've had in a long time. And great ambiance! Can't wait to go again!!
(5)
Meredith S.

I have to premise this by saying that I would have given the old location 5 stars. (The old location was on Roosevelt and 50th complete with rustic Italian feel and live piano music.) I really don't like their new location. It is a completely different atmosphere - very modern and impersonal. The acoustics are horrible, so it's just way too loud and the music they play here is awful. :( The gnocchi I ordered was undercooked - at first I thought it was cheese, but it was undercooked gnocchi. Not very good.
(2)
Hani B.

My family likes this restaurant. Mamma's is a cute place for us to have our weekly "out to dinner" outings. The space is contemporary and open. The food is decent ( a bit over priced), and we love the outdoor seating. Great for kids, and really nice to eat outdoors on a sunny Seattle day.
(3)
Sweet P.

Delicious! After reading a number of great reviews on this place we chose to try for ourselves. Arriving during the dinner hour on a beautiful Sunday evening the place was pretty busy, but we were tended to immediately. First, the bread was amazing. A pretty basic dinner bread, but fresh, moist and warm in a flat-bread-esque style. Yum. I ordered the salmon special with roasted vegetables--yummy, although I like my salmon barely cooked. The spinach salad was lack luster, nothing special or unique about it. The salmon pasta was delicious! Very creamy, but oh so savory! The chicken masala was also pretty great. Overall a great meal. What really made the meal was actually the piano man. He came to our table and asked for any song requests. A very nice man! I'd say, give this place a try!
(4)
Amara D.

Mamma Melina I'm in love... with your food. Not too simple and with hearty portions the meal was divine. As an added bonus they are open late and is extremely close to the Seven Gables theater (yes my friends it is practically a great date in a box). The highlights included the bread (mix olive oil with balsamic vinegar for best results!), the rigatoni with super amazing meatball goodness, and the fun of a candle light supper. So why not five stars?, simple it is kinda expensive and kinda trying to be snooty while failing. My waiter couldn't pronounce the menu items (written in Italian) and for all beauty of the restaurant there is an awfully bright view of the kitchen from everywhere in the restaurant. Will I go back, I plan to... but the bright lightening and a little too high prices killed that fifth star.
(4)
Garret J.

The old Mamma Melina was run-of-the-mill Italian food that you could easily get at a chain like Macaroni Grill. After my one experience, I was not interested in returning, but for a friend's birthday dinner last week which took us to their new location. Big difference! The new location is great. The place is very open, modern, and has great views for people watching. The best thing was the re-vamped menu. The food is much better than it used to be - they have some great dishes and the folks in the kitchen really know what they're doing. The prices were very reasonable for the great food. My visit turned me into a believer - I will definitely go back given all the great changes and improvements they've made.
(4)
Patricia W.

Pizza was undercooked- dough was raw.. And when we told the server about it she apologized and said shed waive it off the bill.. Then came back and said that the owner said it was company policy to be notified right away of the issue and since we didn't , she said sorry and there wasn't nothing she could do! Horrible service ad food!! Would've given them zero stars!!
(1)
drie C.

I would say this Italian restaurant is equal to that of Bucca d Bepo's. Pasta was really good, but the selection was pretty mainstream. Did not find any twist to their food. Dessert though, the bread pudding, was SOOOOOO GOOODD!!!! I totally failed my diet plan. Just imagining it makes me drool.. hmmm Other than that, the service was okay. The waiter gave me that look when I said I only wanted water for my drink (dude, I don't need those empty calories!!). I could feel he was pretty persistent of us ordering more & more, and that did not make me comfortable. However, he checked on us often. The piano / singing can also be overwhelming since the place is kinda small. It was pretty hard for me to talk to my friends even though we were seated at the corner furthest away from the stage.
(3)
Mark W.

Best calamari and amazing pizzas
(5)
Bryan K.

Food is great and the service - the management leading by example- is awesome! We ate 5 appetizers and all were excellent. Escargot and the eggplant were favorites. Caesar salads were perfect. Spaghetti Diabolo, octopuss salad, cannelloni special were all amazing. Aaron manages a truly great establishment.
(5)
Lara M.

After reading many of the reviews I was prepared for some great food. Granted, I was only there for lunch. But I was not at all impressed. The bread was okay.. kind of like pita bread, had been hoping for more of a focaccia type bread. There was olive oil, No balsamic to be had (unlike a few other reviewers). They were "dead" yet the service was still quite slow. Ordered a glass of wine and it was about 1/4 filled - the wine was good but the serving size was ridiculous for $6.50. The food came fairly quickly. Probably because all they had to do was take it out of the box and microwave it. I ordered the canneloni and it was very plain and just not good. Well, it was about as good as the canneloni I had at the Olive Garden (yikes, while visiting my in-laws, in Ohio - that's real italian food in their town...) Maybe I got them on a bad day (I don't usually give reviews this poor but I thought I would since there are just so many good restaurants in the Seattle area, you shouldn't have to waste your money here) However, for an awesome Italian food experience you should try Bizzaro in Wallingford.
(2)
M C.

So many things works for this restaurant, live music, wine, ambiance, quaint, location, quality. To find a restaurant like in on Eastlake is expected but for the corner of U district, this place is a gem. Service = always great! Ambiance = Dark and romantic, live music Food = Great selection Price = $$$ reasonable for what your getting! Crowd = sophisticated Favorite = Love the balance Worst = none Meal for two = 60 Final Say = I would come here more if it weren't for Serafina :(
(4)
Ann S.

five stars all the way!!! super accomodating & everything was delicious!!! looking forward to returning!!!
(5)
Sarah M.

I went here at 7pm on Friday night for a romantic dinner with my boyfriend. However, this restaurant is more family style. It is a loud environment and tables are 6 inches apart from each other, so you can't have private conversations. However, the food was delicious. They served warm focaccia bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil on the table for dipping. I ordered fettucine with prosciutto and mushrooms in a cream sauce. First, the waitress brought out gnocchi by mistake, but she took it back right away and my correct order came out within about 5-7 minutes. My boyfriend ordered cannelloni with marinara sauce and it was also quite good. The piano player here was amazing. He did a great job and gives the restaurant a fun, lively atmosphere. While we were there, he played That's Amore, La Vie En Rose, and a few more favorites. He also went around asking people for requests. I would recommend this place, just be sure you don't want an intimate, romantic setting. Also the dinners are a bit pricey for my taste. My pasta dish was $14 and it was a la carte.
(3)
C B.

We never visited the "old" location, so can't give a comparison. Staff and service were great. Accommodated our large party (20!) well, with reservations of course. Food was ok. Nothing special. Decor and ambiance were nice. Large restaurant, can hold lots of people. Parking can be a challenge during busy times.
(2)
Tim C.

I'd passed Mamma Melina many, many times... I'd heard wonderful things about it (particularly something about red wine and Tuesday nights, of which I am still in the dark)... but I'd still not taken the opportunity to visit this little gem of a place until this week. I decided to take my S.O. there for a birthday dinner on Monday night, and it was great. The food was authentic in that it was very tasty and did not seem overly processed (as you might find at other comparable Italian restaurants). For me, even if it is delicious, restaurant food is just OK-to-good if is too perfect. You could tell this pasta was made in-house. I had the ravioli, and the filling ingredients seemed quite fresh and not cooked to death -- they still had some texture to them. The service was fast but not so fast that we weren't able to sit back, enjoy a cocktail and listen to the live piano music coming from across the room. The staff was also quite friendly and helpful in providing suggestions and answering questions. All in all, I would go here again... next time on a Tuesday to find out for myself about that whole red wine thing.
(4)
Lilly T.

Came here one evening with my best friend for dinner. We shared the Piatto Di Salumi which was a plate of natural meats and cheeses as well as olives and crostini ($11.95). For our entree, we ordered the Fettuccine Paglia e Fieno which had egg noodles, prosciutto, mushrooms and other veggies in a cream sauce ($14). Portions were generous and I recommend sharing when you come here. Not the best italian food I've had, but decent for the U-District. I think it is a bit pricey for what you get though. Good service and romantic ambiance lighting inside! The fresh bread they serve at the beginning of your meal is REALLY good!
(3)
Lisa N.

The new location... - is at least 4x bigger - has a convenient FREE parking garage - is way too sterile on the inside - has PLASTIC CHAIRS a la lawn furniture - pairs said plastic chairs with crystal chandeliers - tries to be 'fancier' - fails miserably NO THANKS. I really really liked Mamma Melina on Roosevelt and I'm seriously bummed out that it's gone. My pasta e fagioli had no pasta in it and was super bland. The gnocchi was alright, but I'm pretty sure it's impossible to do that wrong. Also, can somebody PLEASE explain to me how I was charged $26 when I ordered $13 gnocchi and $6-7 soup? I didn't say anything because I wasn't going to be *that* girl in the group, but our service was fucking horrible. I understand that it takes a while for food to be prepared and I'm fine with that (although it was a little annoying), but when a table is sitting there with their menus closed for a good 15 minutes and you've made your presence obvious by walking over several times, looking at the table, not saying anything, and then walking away I think it's a good cue that we're ready for you to take our order. Our server brought out the wrong order for one of the members of our party and didn't seem remotely apologetic. She kind of tried to argue with him and insisted that he had ordered the ravioli when he actually ordered lasagna, but eventually brought out the SMALLEST piece of lasagna I've ever seen. Also, after about 15 minutes of eating (after at least a 30+ minute wait for our food) she came over and started clearing plates. My friend was still obviously eating her lobster spaghetti, fork-on-plate and all, and the server took away her side plate for empty shells. What the fuck. The old Mamma Melina had delicious freshly baked breadsticks and wonderful dipping oil. This location had what seemed like QFC french bread, sliced for your convenience. The new Mamma Melina is not impressive. It's 'cute' on the inside, but it's nothing compared to the charm and Italian feeling of the old one. It's more like one of those restaurants that tries so hard to be fancy, but just doesn't do it right. The food is nowhere near as good and the service is horrible. The only upside is that now you can actually scoot your chair back without interrupting someone else's dinner, but I prefer the small, cozy, intimate setting to this new, disgusting, sterile, wannabe-hip environment. I do NOT recommend coming here. It's seriously not worth it. I've had better food and better service at Olive Garden.
(2)
Josh F.

EH! had a meal here last night Risotto was quite bland, my dinner mate had ravioli which were good I guess. One of those places where you feel you could have made a better meal. Not bad but where in the world can a guy find a great italian meal in this town.
(3)
Jen A.

I'm going to sound like a snob but I find that when Seattle tries to go upscale with their food, they usually fail miserably. I might give this place a second chance, but with low expectations.
(2)
Annie L.

Any restaurant owned by an Italian family who immigrated to the US deserves a thumbs up in my book. Mamma Melina has so much flavor and spazz. If you're craving hearty italian food (not fancy pants nor Spaghetti factory chain like), this is the place to go. You'll definitely find the typical dish like seafood linguine, pasta bake, and fetuccine--but you can tell they put a lot of love in their food. Although, if I owned the place, I would either make a smaller menu or provide more interesting selections. There were too many similiar items that I had a hard time choosing my meal. BTW, I'M PUTTING THIS IN CAPS AND RANDOMLY BC YOU HAVE TO TRY THEIR TIRAMISU!!! This is a perfect (put number here) date location. Did I mention, they have live music on Tues/Fri/Sat? That's hella romanti.
(4)
Kelly S.

Hands down the best Italian restaurant I have been to. The staff are wonderful, the pasta is perfectly cooked and the ambiance is fantastic. I love the live music (the guy with the piano makes you feel like you are seriously in Italy except for the occasional weird song request. My boyfriend brought me here for Valentines day and it could not have been a better place to go. I would recommend this place to anyone who loves Italian food and especially good lighting.
(5)
Becky R.

This place is excellent, and busy! I came for an 8:00 dinner reservation on Saturday night, the house was packed, hardly any room to stand inside the door, every single table packed and ready for another group. The staff was pretty friendly, and they had a decent selection to choose from for wine, food, etc. We ordered: Wine: 1 reisling and 1 red. Salad: Special for the night - Tomato (sliced) with gargonzola and basil with olive oil $7 Meal: We shared the Pollo ai Carciofi - Chicken breast in a white wine, artichoke hearts and lemon~parsley sauce $14.95 Dessert: House special was Tortino - Warm bread pudding over dark rum crÃ¨me anglais $5.75 with a twist - add apples, cinnamon and some other yummy stuff and it was more like an apple pastry bread pudding with yummy sauces type thing. I can only tell you that it is very very very good and the server promised we'd want only this when in heaven. (It was really good, but good enough to want as an end all be all) The chicken was tender and the sauce was delicious. The tomato salad was really simply 5 tomato slices, a couple basil leaves, some olive oil and a slice and a half or so of the cheese. As I've mentioned before, as there is no "Wine only" option in the alcohol below, I voted for beer and wine, although I didn't see any beer or hard alcohol on the menu or in the restaurant. I will return to Mamma Melina, as I simply must try every single type of Tira Misu out there before I die.
(4)
T P.

If you want nothing fancy down home basic Italian this place is a good choice. The food is good- nothing great or out of this world. The service is excellent and the portion is very hearty for the price. I judged it on overall price, service and portion size although again, I did not think the food was anything special. Probably more like a 2.5 The neopolitean bread is excellent so is the authentic Limoncello and They also own Barolo
(3)
Cindy R.

This is the first time I've been to the new location. I was worried that they would have to cut some corners to pay for the expensive new real estate. It's still pretty good. It's always been a little overpriced. But the food is tasty and I'm sure we'll come crawling back. We always do...
(3)
Larry B.

I and 14 of my closest friends had a fantastic time last night. There wasn't really a down side to anything. Of the 15 meals only one person felt that their food was average and the rest enjoyed it very much, my roommate LOVED the scampi. I had the Campagnola salad, which to my slightly inebriated pallet (had some primer drinks before arriving) was one of the best salads I have ever had. I ordered the Farfalle Salmone, smoked salmon and bow tie pasta dish for $12.95 which is a steal, the salad at $6.50 might have been a bit steep for a small salad, they balanced each other out in value. The Long Island Ice Teas were modestly priced at $8.00 and tasty. The restaurant was packed with loud happy people, I could barely hear the piano and singing, but you could hear it just enough to enjoy what it added to the atmosphere. The service was excellent, prompt and attentive without being pushy or in your face. I liked the fact they take reservations and can do a good job with a group, the original plan was to go to Serious Pie but didn't have any faith in their ability to handle 15 people on a Saturday night. I don't like to give out 5 stars too much but this would be 4 1/2 fo sho
(4)
Yiling W.

Okay food, but mediocre at best. Went here for 3 for 30, and everything was only pretty good, not very good, or mmm, delicious. Services was okay too, but i probably won't be going back, it was not a remarkably memorable experience for me. Atmosphere-wise, it was surprisingly loud and difficult to hear my dining companions.
(3)
Yaniv G.

We've eaten here three times, two great, one blah. In general the food is good, and not too expensive. The staff is quite friendly as well, especially the host who makes it feel like the family restaurant it is said to be. Maybe that bad night was just a flook... I would go back to this place.
(4)
Shane M.

We love(d) Mamma Melina, but the new location sucks. The waiter was rude as hell. We recognized the owner's son and we were excited about our lunch, but -- wth -- who do they think they are? LOL, I know you moved to the U district, but that doesn't give you a pass to be arrogant a**holes. Wont' be coming back. (Oh yeah, the best thing on the lunch menu was a chicken sandwich -- pizza sucked and so did the pasta... if you're going to be rude at least serve that good "stuffy" food - not crap)
(1)
Jenny D.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. My boyfriend and I went here since it's about 3 blocks away from his house, and it was great! Food: We ordered 1 appetizer, 1 salad, and 1 entree. The appetizer was so-so, the salad was great (prosciutto, spinach, walnuts...) and the ravioli was excellent. Service: Above average, but then again they are all college students so it's not going to be super-professional. Price: Perfect for the quality. Ambiance: Excellent. It's a big noisy, but there is live music. I requested Brian McKnight and the singer did a great rendition of him. Great place for a not-too-formal dinner when you have a bit extra cash.
(4)
Jen S.

Not bad but not overly impressive - had been wanting to check it out and finally did. Not a ton of options on the menu, ordered ravioli which was ok but was supposed to have roasted garlic, didn't taste any which was too bad. Service was friendly and fast, fastest in and out dinner I've had in a while, probably in and out well under 45 minutes. The warm bread (strips?) to start were good.
(3)
Blue L.

This place is so much fun and feels so quintessential Italian - it gets 5 stars from me for that alone. Oh, and by the way, the food is very good, too, and not unlike the kind of food we got in Italy. The service was impeccable. The piano player gives the restaurant its own unique character. He plays anything you request. The place is packed from about 5:30 - 9-ish. Everyone there was having fun. Eating here is just plain fun, and I'll be back for more fun soon.
(5)
Rhondalei G.

Fresh pasta was excellent. I enjoyed my bolognese and had a bite of my date's salmon pasta. Both were very good! I had not been to the original location on University Ave, but this location was definitely an upgrade from what my friend told me. The new location near University Village has seating indoors and out (if the weather is right).
(5)
Melinda L.

Met a friend for lunch September 4th. Since then I have eaten there an additional 4 times. I don't eat at the same restaurant more than twice or three times in a year so that says something about the food, service, atmosphere, ability to have a conversation and good lighting. I tell eveyrone to try it.
(5)
Pete C.

Mamma grew up and got fancy---and the fod got worse. Very disappointed after years of solid service at the old location.
(3)
ruth c.

My boyfriend and I went here the other nights because numerous people have told us that they have the best Italian food... Well they were wrong!! The service was nice, but the food was horrible. I make better Italian food. The pasta was undercooked and overpriced. I got the Ravioli ($12) and my boyfriend got the Chicken Marsala ($15). Half of my Ravioli was hard and the Chicken Marsala was no better. The Chicken was a bit overcooked and the pasta that came with it was undercooked. I would never go back there. You can make a better dish by going to safeway and buying the food yourself!
(1)
Jonas C.

I rather miss the cozy, at-home feel of the old location. That and the fact that I have to yell like I'm at a concert to talk to the person next to me. I can't knock the food, it was good. The menu was also much pricier than I previously recall. Good food, sub-par dining experience. Do they do take out?
(3)
Eric M.

Mama Melina is a little bit of South Beach/Miami right in the U-Village neighborhood. I really like the interior decor, it's modern and open. The patio is furnished with high-end, modern lounge furniture. The paintings on the ceiling are from their previous location and tell you someone is really turning over a new leaf with this location. If you go to Barolo, their hipper,more expensive sister restaurant downtown, you get the idea. The other thing I like about Melina is the parking, it's free and it's plentiful in the underground garage next to the restaurant. You can even come in the back door of the restaurant if it's raining and not get wet. This is especially important if you got "dressed " for dinner! The ambiance of the restaurant tells me lot's of people are on dates and celebrating special occasions. The food is very good in my opinion and they do a few things very well. The chef is very good with seafood. I order octopus whenever I can, I think it says a lot about a restaurant that they even have it on the menu. The octopus salad is very well done. It is tender and well cooked every time. The sea bass (sustainable-version) is also well done. I marvel at the large portions they give you at this price point. The lobster pasta is also well done with half a lobster tail and a flavorful pasta. If I had to be picky....I would ding them for the Cesar salad. The dressing is mayonnaise-y and there are no anchovies to be seen. The wine list and by the glass list are great with several decent picks at each price point. I haven't had the pizza but I'm tempted, they look wonderful, they are thin crusted and cooked in a wood fired oven. The service has been excellent. The staff is obviously well trained and know the menu, some even know the wine list which is impressive for this location. After a few visits we are always greeted by name and given a great table. I'll be back, often.
(4)
Michelle N.

Ristorante Mamma Melina when it was on 50th, was one of my favorite Italian restaurants in town. I loved the quaInt and intimate ambiance that included a wonderful pianist that went around and took requests. When I heard that they had opened a new location, I was apprehensive. Nevertheless my husband and I went to try it out since I loved the old locations so much. Im sorry to say that I was pretty disappointed. Their delicious flatbread was replaced but cold slices of bread. Their bruschetta, which used to be a large portion, was now what seemed to be a small 'modern' take on bruschetta. The ambiance of the restaurant has also completely changed. It seems the sons have tried to modernize the theme of the restaurant including painting on the ceiling and metallic mirror balls floating in pools of water outside. I can respect their desire to make the restaurant their own and set themselves apart for their parents' legacy but it might have made sense to change the name as well. With all that said, if you hadn't been to the old location, the new one will probably be just fine for you. I just feel that the new location does not live up to the standards of the old location.
(2)
John L.

My, have things changed! My wife and I came up from Tacoma to catch a pre-Oscars movie in Seattle, then decided to hit Mamma's for dinner. We had eaten here often before at the old location and loved the cozy and bustling ambiance, the opera singing waiters, and of course, the food. So we were surprised to find that they had moved and appeared more upscale. To our delight, the basic premise of warm hospitality and excellent food remained. After parking in the free covered garage, we were greeted and promptly seated. Our waitress was great and the food was excellent. We had a wonderful beet salad with lots of fresh beets; my wife had the veal scallopini and I had the Osso Bucco. (I'm a sucker for a great OB). We enjoyed a really delightful Brunello (great wine list) and capped off the meal with chocolate for dessert. So we were surprised by the changes, but really enjoyed to new look "Mammas," and will definitely return for the food. The Melina sons are continuing Mamma's legacy in a good way.
(4)
Lacie P.

Food is bland and disgusting I have had the burger a pizza and their "spaghetti" with meatballs all of it is not worth the money an is very disappointing the deserts are even gross. The only thing good about this place is the servers are nice and the restaurant itself is very nice. I was hoping it would be better seeing as how I live in the corydon and Mama Melina is in the same building it would be a good place to go but nope overpriced garbage with tiny portion not to mention I could barely hear the waitress because it was so loud.
(1)
Michael D.

My friend and I attempted Mamma Melina's this evening, but we left before ordering. Like so many restaurants, this one is far to loud to enjoy a meal with friends you would choose to have a conversation with. You will have to yell at your date; the sound is brittle and more than distracting.
(2)
Linda R.

We had a fabulous experience at Mamma Melina. Extremely well-executed Italian food (re. some of the other reviews mentioning bad food... maybe we went on the night with the good chef???). Calamari to die for, extremely tasty salad, one of the best Bolognese sauces I've ever had (carrot taste! Bolognese should taste of carrot!), and you HAVE to come up with some requests for Brian the piano player. "Maneater" was particularly fun. You can BYOB at Mamma Melina, which just adds another little happy.
(5)
kim h.

Was a favorite until it moved... Had a great atmosphere with affordable prices and generous portions. Now it is incredibly trendy, no personality, and above all the food is not the same. I am in search of a new favorite Italian restaurant. Mama Melinas no longer has that title.
(2)
John T.

osso bucco, pizza, octopus and mussles are the highlights here. needs deeper wine list
(4)
Christopher C.

I was disappointed that our waitress ignored us because I had high hopes for this place. I had the prosciutto and mozzarella stuffed veal. I think I could have ate a whole plate of their delicious grilled zucchini but I wasn't really floored by the meal. It was good, but they would have probably sold more wine if they had come by more often. The piano player was... kinda dorky. However, I love the artwork, which was hand-painted by the owner's husband, if I am to believe the back of my menu. The place was a bit loud, but warm. The service was very friendly, but like I said, I would have liked them to come by more often. I think our original waitress' shift was over or she was covering because another waiter finished us out. From the other reviews, I am willing to give this place another chance.
(3)
Huy T.

Food: From my experience, Italian food is generally a little too rich (flavor); however, Mamma Melina achieved a high level of tastiness without being too rich. Overall, the food was excellent! The Panna Cotta is amazing! Service: Our waitress was amazingly helpful and nice. We came with friend that had been here before and was recommended the mushroom soup. Apparently, the soup was not as good as it was previously (still pretty good though) and my friend mentioned this to our waitress. When the waitress gave us the bill, she said that the soup was on the house since it didn't meet our standards (I finished all of it already). Overall, the entire wait staff was friendly and helpful, especially our waitress. Environment: The decor radiates a modern/sophisticated atmosphere and the choice of music is fitting. Overall, the environment was wonderful. Price: Very reasonable for the quality of food, service, and environment.
(4)
Pierre G.

2 memorable 3-for-$15 lunches ANTIPASTI: - Autumn Panzanella Fig Salad, Wild Mushrooms, Almonds, Green Beans: Its mostly bread & lettuces soaked in a tart balsamic vinagrette [so don't order this plus a pizza entree] I can't get enough figs; Only a few mushrooms, The almonds add a nice crunch... SOUP: Zuppa Pomodori: Tomato Soup par excellence; deep delicious flavor perfectly spiced I'd gladly chug a gallon.. ENTREES: - Rigatoni alla Amatriciana, Pancetta, Tomatos, Chilies and Bread Crumbs: This I loved - I literally ate this one noodle at a time The tomato sauce is a delicious, oily wonder, The pancetta adds the salt, The chilies add a spice kick, The breadcrumbs adds a crunch. I understand its not always on the menu but order it [or share it] if available. - Rigatoni alla Bolognese [natural veal and beef meat sauce]: Not as special as the alla Amatriciana but worth trying DOLCE: - Tiramisu soaked in Espresso, Kahlua, Amaretto and layered with Mascarpone Cheese: served with a strawberry, a blueberry, cream and a dusting of baker's sugar Exemplary - light and sensual. My server, Matt, is a great guy This meal makes me want to return... If you have a large group, there's a room in the rear with chandeliers to reserve.
(4)
Kristen G.

such a great little spot. it's so intimate and the food is great. My favorite part is that you get to mix your own oil and vinegar for your bread so I get to use as much vinegar as possible! yum! I haven't been in a long time since I don't live in the U District anymore but I'm going to make it a mission to go back soon. I have never had a bad experience at this restaurant. One of the owners, Leo, even went out of his way to drive my parents back to their hotel when it was pouring rain outside. Now that is the exceptional service you find at Mama Melina!
(4)
Kim H.

Waited over an hour for our food. Couple next to us came in 20 minutes after us and we got our food as they were paying their bill. Waitress came to check up on us once. We told the waitress that we waited too long and she said her manager would come to talk to us. No show. Paid for a pricey dinner. Got dessert, so they get one star.
(1)
T H.

I love the atmosphere of this place, the drinks are really good and the service is great...but... the food could be better. I have gone three times and was most impressed by their salad and was the least impressed by their steamed clams. I really want to like this place, but they will have to make better food for me to become a regular.
(3)
Jennilee B.

Multi-colored pasta, addictive bread, great wine selection...I can go on and on- but the only way you'll ever really get a taste of this hidden gem is if you just get your pasta loving behind over there. Their desserts are pretty darn good too, and their live music contributes to the homey ambiance. I definitely recommend reservations, but stopping in on Friday/Saturday shouldn't be a problem- we've waited around for 15-20mins for a table and lucked out everytime- we sit next to the piano man!
(5)
Cameron L.

The eating utensils were dirty and the plates were too. This really killed the experience for me is it too hard to clean a spoon? I took a look at their storage office where they had bottles of alcohol and papers everywhere it was kind of messy which makes one wonder how dirty and messy other things were in the kitchen.... Which you can take a look at for yourself through the garage in the back. The decor was wonderful but the food was meh.... I would not recommend this place. Service staff were lovely and polite.
(2)
Shelly N.

Ok this is not a pizza joint or cheap Italian food place with big plates of pasta and tomato sauce. But is a nice place to eat in the university district that is not based on burgers, beer and specialty drinks. We reserved our table on open table and we were seated immediately. Our waiter was very attentive and actually bussed his own tables due to secondary staff disappearing. We had the arancini and baked escargot which were great, but we were out of bread to soak up the sauces. The bread was good, but we had issues getting the balsamic vinegar to separate from the EVO. We also had the beat salad, that we split and it was solid. My son had the pizza special, enough for two and we has the prosciutto wrapped prawns and the halibut special. Both excellent. The portions were ample and all of us were too full for desert. Ordered a bottle of Masi Pino Grigio which paired with the food nicely. Overall good value and excellent experience compared to our meal at Frank's last night.
(4)
Renee U.

This Italian place is awesome. Great ambience, beautiful yet unique decor with class and has a great outside area (casual outdoor furniture section) and some European cafe like feel tables/chairs. Inside, unique artwork on the ceiling rather than wall. Food..I have some favorites and some I wouldn't try again. The winners are: 1) Spaghetti alla diavola con aragosta dell'atlantico - delish 2) Saltimbocca di pollo alla romana - love how they cook this chicken dish (note: the first time I had, the chicken was cooked perfectly and moist- sauce/toppings-yum!, second time- everything remains the same with sauce and toppings(they are consistent which is key to a successful restaurant but the chicken was very dry not moist- different chef perhaps - still good just not as good) The average list: Pizzas..we ordered a couple on the happy hour menu- not bad but not amazing Meatballs are good- no complaints (2 big ones for happy hour) Drinks are pretty tasty as well and a good wine selection. The nah list: Linguine con salmone e polpa di granchio --- check out this description --- "Linguine, wild oregon smoked salmon, fresh dungeness crab and light cream, fried leeks" - I fell in love with the description and I think my husband and a couple of friends did too...but nope!! A bland dish with not a lot of protein and very light on the sauce/crab/smoked salmon...for some reason, these just don't work well together like it reads...the lobster pasta didn't read as well but was incredibly amazing in taste. So in this case, do not judge the book by its cover (or description) Desserts: We had the chocolate cake/ice cream - so good!! My favorite. The pistachio gelato- good but not amazing--I suggest adding some fresh chopped pistachio. We had a couple of others--can't remember so it must not have done anything for me :)
(4)
Armando J.

The waiters honestly suck, but they at least refill your drinks. They just seem extremely stressed while working, and it's no wonder why when I can see/hear the manager chewing them out for the smallest thing every couple of minutes. Very very unprofessional, which is just unacceptable when the plates aren't cheap here. Quite frankly it creates an awkward environment to eat at. I mean, you could at least not yell, or take your staff aside/to the back. After hearing the manager yelling and having a bad waiter, I assumed the food would be bad too. I was thankfully wrong! Their food was surprisingly good, I wouldn't return otherwise. So the manager needs to really calm down, as his micromanaging style is just making the environment tense, clearly making the waiters less comfortable, and thus making the waiters less relatable/approachable to the people coming in to dine. How can someone focus on giving good service when their manager is breathing down their necks every step of the way? If you really don't trust your staff, hire more competent people.
(3)
Joy H.

I met some friends for "ladies that lunch" here and loved the simple, modern decor. There's a parking garage (free!) underneath which makes it convenient. Their complimentary foccacia bread is delicious and the service was good! I had the steak salad which was good - the steak was perfect while the salad was a little plain. The place is a little pricey for what it is but it's a solid place to lunch at!
(3)
Sal A.

I had dinner here recently and I really enjoyed myself. It was a pretty large restaurant but very open and with lots of windows. They have quite a bit of outdoor seating but it was too hot to sit outside for me at that time. The only bad part of the evening were the people sitting next to me. The guy kept making this very loud smacking noise. It was like a nervous tick or something. This is obviously completely out of the restaurant's control. :-) The waiter was very knowledgable about every item on the menu. I had lots of questions. :-) I ordered two appetizers: fried calamari and eggplant parmigiana. Both were delicious. The calamari wasn't greasy at all. Perfect amount of batter and the aioli dipping sauce was super zesty. I also ordered a Caesar Salad. It was mediocre. For dinner I ordered the spicey lobster and clam spaghetti and the crab and salmon linguine with a light cream sauce. Both were very tasty. The seafood was very fresh and delicious. I was too full for dessert. Next time!
(4)
Grace X.

My favorite happy hour in the U-District. Beware, tables in the bar are limited and always snatched up fast. Small bar area seating in general. Drinks are reasonably priced - well drinks are STRONG and less than $5. Beers are even cheaper. Bartenders are all very helpful and nice to chat with. Kudos to them for pouring with a heavy hand :) The happy hour food menu is more extensive than most I've seen and you can get full on just a single plate, since portions are generous. Particularly for half price when you'd expect stingy portions. My favorite dishes: -Calamari: generous serving of lightly breaded calamari that's not too salty, so you can actually enjoy the two dipping sauces. One more creamy, the other more tangy like a cocktail sauce. Great appetizer to share. $5.50 -Mac and cheese (ziti): creamy and so very savory. There's a fair amount of crab and prawns in it, which is a brilliant twist to a classic dish. Very filling and satisfying. $10 -Kobe beef burger: served on ciabatta instead of a regular roll and the most flavorful beef I've ever had in a burger, this is seriously good. It seems very simple and normal from just looking at it but the flavor is incredible. Comes with fries or a salad. Try the fries if you like fries that are similar to steak fries but not as thick as Red Robin's. They are quite good, but salty. $8 For first timers, try happy hour. The prices are much more reasonable than the full price menu but you're not sacrificing quality or quantity for HH.
(5)
Erika V.

Love everything about this place! I had the Risotto ai gamberi & it was a perfect portion and very filling. Their desserts are yummy too! I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Tara W.

Great deal for happy hour. Nothing over the top, but for less than $30 my friend and I shared pizza, bruschetta and meatballs, a along with two glasses of wine. The food was delicious too.
(3)
Elizabeth C.

Mamma Melina is a great place to meet up for a meal with friends! They have a surprisingly long happy hour, which is great if your schedule doesn't allow for a traditional 4-6 happy hour. Their staff have always been friendly and accommodating, and have been nice enough to seat us in the restaurant for HH when the bar area was full. Service is well-timed and the kitchen seems to turn around food decently quickly. No complaints there. If you're there to drink a little something, I can definitely recommend the blood orange martini. I'm not much of a martini person in general, but I tried it and was really pleased! It's delicious, not too sweet, and surprisingly strong. Underestimate their power at your own peril! Their bar menu, which is half off during happy hour (what a deal!) has a pretty good selection. I can personally recommend the lobster mac and cheese, which is about as indulgent and satisfying as it sounds, the calamari, and the pizzas. The one thing that I will be skipping next time is their caesar salad, which I had high hopes for but had little flavor in the dressing. The restaurant is very good looking, and the atmosphere is buzzy but not too loud--you can still have a conversation with the people at your table. Mamma Melina is definitely going on my happy hour rotation.
(4)
Jay D.

Place was packed on a Tuesday night. We had 6:30 reservations but didn't get seated until 6:40. I had the butter lettuce salad with goat cheese and hazelnuts. It also had just a touch of balsalmic dressing. It was light, tasty, and just the right size. The focaccia squares were complimentary and came with a pesto type vinaigrette. For my entree I had the canneloni special of the day which had crab and shrimp with spinach and a mild salsa type tomato sauce. It was one of the best canneloni dishes I've had. There was a nice amount of seafood and just enough cheese and tomato sauce without being too overwhelming. I'm giving them a slight downgrade due to the slow service, but the food was top notch.
(4)
Megan Y.

Unfortunately, I had a bad experience here with the service. My friends and I decided to visit on a Friday night for happy hour. A couple of us were able to get there at 5 to snag a table in the dining area and they were nice enough to agree to give us the HH prices out there. Our whole party wasn't able to get there until just before 6, however. We ordered our dishes then: the eggplant parmisiana, spicy meatballs, and calamari. The server seemed like she was extremely done with her job. She wasn't rude, but was not friendly at all and barely checked on us as we ate. When the check arrived, we noticed that the food was rung at full price. Apparently we ordered before 6, but it was entered into the register at 6:01. I was a bit annoyed that nothing was said (pretty sure she knew we were there for happy hour and could have warned us), but I accepted it as fair. We wanted the check split though, and she continued to act like we were causing her so much pain for requesting it. To make matters worse, the check was split incorrectly (some miscommunication about who was paying for what dish) and when we asked that it be fixed, she didn't say anything and just took our checks back. I had to check later that night that my card wasn't charged twice, because we also never got a void slip. I am hoping to return and have a better experience next time at Mamma Melina's, especially since I've heard such good things about their service in particular. Plus, the food and drinks are good and I feel like the rest of the experience should match in comparison.
(2)
Cassie D.

I'm a huge fan of Mamma Melina for happy hour!! Their pizzas are the delicious thin crust Italian style, without gobs of grease. HH only in the bar, but the atmosphere is great and I've almost always gotten a seat. It's a perfect spot for a date. Full bar, great bartenders and staff - especially Aaron the maitre'd - he will take fantastic care of you! We love the calamari - not the battered kind, carpaccio is to die for! Fresh thinly sliced meat with peppery arugula and salty parm on top. We've had dinner a handful of times here as well, ranging from chicken parm to pasta to a seafood dish and have loved it all! Only downside is parking - there is a garage but it's a tight squeeze so I try to stick to street parking if I can find it.
(5)
Aves M.

Had a wonderful time here during their great happy hour. The food was great, a good portion and reasonable for a happy hour price. I haven't delved into their main course but will review their service, food and ambiance. First the mood in mama Melina's is great, a little fancy, but not overwhelming. Their bar is cute, nice and small with an iced wine bar in front of the eating area. The beer selection is small, but adequate with the usual Manny's and some other locals at a good price ($3.50) for HH. The food we had: calamari, Caesar salad and truffle pizza ended up being delicious. As for the service it was exactly what I expect for all restaurants. Originally our pizza came out cold and we asked if they'd heat it back up for us. They mentioned they thought it may have been cold (probably shouldn't have came out then) but said they'd make us a new one and not charge us for any pizza at all. Thank you for doing this, when a restaurant screws up its good to make up for the mistake, especially when you are trying to represent your restaurant to new patrons. They solved our issues and the warm pizza was on point. Perfect!
(5)
Christie S.

Servers are stressed out and the food taste mass produced. Typical cisco food distribution restaurant . Save your $ and go elsewhere.
(2)
John C.

Visiting from out of town and looking for a family-friendly option for a nice dinner. This place was a perfect fit! Very friendly staff, great selection of meals for the kids (and adults). The best of all were the desserts! The pear tart was fantastic and some of the best tiramisu I've ever had (and I've never been a fan). Highly recommended and will definitely go back the next time we're in Seattle.
(5)
Frank L C.

A very good higher-end Italian dinner, shared with a large group of international scholars. We enjoyed a set menu of antipasti, crisp romaine caesar salad, pasta with salmon and Dungeness crab, and tiramisu' alternatives included arugula salad, flatiron steak,, bronzino, and spumoni. The wines, red white, and rose, flowed liberally, and the service was competent and polite. My only negatives were a dearth of seating space and a surplus of waiting time. But overall it was very good.
(4)
Latifa S.

Old favorite in new spot! I've loved Mamma Melina since they were on the Roosevelt! It was a much better vibe then. Warm, cozy spot with murals on the wall. Amazing calamari steak with olive oil, delish pasta and crowded every night. Ahhh it was my favorite spot to go be fancy during college days! And they moved to this place few years back! I totally didn't mind. It was decorated more like their sister place. Much brighter, prettier, all white everything. And with the same delicious food! The place is huge. It goes from the bar to the back where they can actually closed off the area to make it a private room for you. It was quite nice. I've hosted a ton of events here. Birthdays, bridal showers, babyshowers, reunions! They've always accommodated us with everything from food, space to personalized set menus. What's not to love! If you come here for the weekend brunch, you might find yourself staying till happy hour! I always do! Notable and favorite dishes- Spicy meatballs- always consistently good. Calamari firtti - fluffy! Lumache al burro - escargot baked in butter. My fav! *Gnocchi -with sweet tomatoes! Always tasty. *Linguine con salmon - linguine with smoked salmon, crab in a cream sauce. I usually get this on my lunches. Creamy good! *Spaghetti ala vongle - spaghetti with clams! What's not to love. This was my favorite from before they moved. Still like it! *Fettucine Bolognese- my go to dish for dinner/happy hour! **Risotto ai gamberi- jumbo prawns in creamy asparagus risotto. Heavy but good for rainy days! **Ossobuco di argnello - lamb shank with polenta! Crazy filling and heavy but tasty. Pizza Margherita - you can smell and see your pizza being made. It is simple and tasty! I like. Melina - truffles pizza! yummmm! Pizza con polpete - spicy meat ball pizza with mozzarella and parmigiano. The best part? Dessert! I'm never one to order a dessert when I eat out but I do at a few places. This is one of them! Vanilla bean panna cotta - I know its the easiest thing to make! But I love it here. It's so beautiful and tasty. They also have other stuff but this is my favorite. You can also get a delicious cappuccino with your brunch, lunch meals! Or try their Rose!! Prosecco! Blood orange martini for happy hour. They have a pretty solid happy hour in the bar area if you can manage to find a seat/booth. And the besttt part? They have parking! Not gonna lie- the dÃ©cor and free parking is why I hosted way too many events here. My east side friends love me for it :)
(4)
Gene D.

Another fabulous lunch yesterday. Not sure why my fellow Yelpers are having negative experiences, perhaps I'm just lucky?! Well, lucky me then, because the gnocchi, penne pasta and pizza selections combined with a little Librandi Rose' were perfect pairings and sizing. Summer may not be showing her generous hand just yet in Seattle, but Mamma Melina certainly is! Still no desserts yet. I will get to them!
(5)
Dhananjay J.

Nothing spectacular. Notch above Olive Garden. But you're paying for the fancy atmosphere with pointless paintings on the ceilings.
(3)
Brittany L.

I only ever come here for happy hour and it does not disappoint! The restaurant is beautifully decorated and has a sophisticated ambience. Love that they play modern jazz and bossa nova-esque music, definitely adds to the cool atmosphere. Happy hour is only in the bar and everything on their "bar menu" is half off! From appetizers to pastas to burgers to pizza, everything here is quite delightful. Also with $3.50 drafts and under ~$3.50 glasses of wine you can't go wrong. On my most recent visit, my boyfriend and I came for late night happy hour. Our server, Tracy, was excellent! Super friendly and very attentive. We ordered three items: calamari, kobe beef burger, and the crab & shrimp mac and cheese. Calamari: SO good, and very reasonably priced at $5.50! The spicy mayo sauce or whatever that orange one is o m g. I was dipping everything in there lol, squid, fries, burger, everything. I love that they give you the tentacle pieces as well, it adds a nice varying texture to the dish. Kobe beef burger: Pretty decent, wish they used a different bun and/or toasted it. Love that they give you a banana pepper with it. Fries were also yummy! Mac and cheese: Ok, I've had this in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, this time when I ordered it and took my first bite I was overwhelmed with salt. Like I legit had a flashback of swimming in the ocean ok. I was like whatever, I do like salt so I had another bite. The next bite was SOO bitter! I don't know what happened there and tried to justify it but honestly no food should be bitter unless it's coffee, grapefruit, or bittermelon. So eventually we sent it back and the sous chef agreed something was wrong with it so they took it off our bill. They offered to make us something else but surprisingly after the calamari and the burger we were both full. I am usually not one to send food back, but Tracy was very empathetic and kind about it. Although the food may be hit or miss, the service is excellent and will keep me coming back!
(4)
Catherine W.

I went here tonight with friends. And, after not being here for a few years (I used to frequent the old location on Roosevelt), I was not disappointed! We sat down for dinner, which was great. The ambience in the restaurant is beautiful, and the service is attentive, even on a busy Friday night! I couldn't decide what I wanted for appetizers or dinner, and I got two great recommendations from my waitress. I got the escargot and the linguini salmon pasta, and it was phenomenal. If you like escargot and garlic butter, this is the place to get it. The linguini was also the freshest I have ever had, and was wonderfully seasoned! The wine selections were great, and the prices very affordable for a nice night out with friends! Even though I don't live in the U-District anymore, I will make intentional trips out just to come back here!
(5)
Julie N.

The complimentary bread was delicious! The service was excellent! I ordered the corydon pizza which came out kinda burnt.. But it was okay. I don't think I will be ordering pizza again. Ive heard many things about their happy hour and will be coming back for it!
(4)
Just Y.

(2.5 Stars) I can say without a doubt, that on the next Ã¼ber sunny day, I'll be lining up outside the door waiting for them to open so I can plop my butt down outside on the wicker couch with a cold pint and spend an hour people watching and soaking in the very lovely atmosphere. From what I have experienced thus far, the staff will be friendly and efficient. What I won't be doing, is eating. My last lunch visit consisted of two appetizers, and two entrÃ©e salads. Well, more like three salads because there was enough greens piled on the Carpaccio to constitute another side dish. If there is one thing I really dislike, it is the use of canned items in salads. Salads should be fresh, so when I point blank asked the server if items such as corn, pineapple, and green beans were fresh or canned, and the server says fresh, I expect fresh. If those items were fresh, then the chef went out of his way to ensure they looked and tasted otherwise. Rubbery green beans with the graying tint, sweetened, machine cut pineapple with that somewhat poached consistency, and even though it was blackened on the grill, canned corn has a very distinct taste. And those were then served with greens that were absolutely saturated in oil. Not a light coating, but actually beginning to form pools of oil at the bottom. If this is the level entrÃ©e salads are prepared at, I'm not going to try more.
(2)
Michael B.

In theory, the move was a good idea. Better kitchen, bigger facility, more efficient and less chaotic. In reality, we lost one of Seattle's most flavorful, unique and fun places to dine, and gained another cold, modernly chic, non-descript, cookie cutter californicated restaurant. The piano player is gone. The frescoes are gone. The Tortino is gone. The magic is gone. It is truly a tragedy in my opinion. RIP Mamma Melina's! You will be missed. (The five stars is for the old Mamma's, not the new one! Sorry guys.)
(5)
Brent D.

My wife and I love this place. Call it sentimental attraction but when we think of a place to go eat where there's good food, good music, and a local intimate feel, we go to Mamma Melina. Out of the 5+ times we've been, the food has never failed. One of our favorite dishes is the bolognese matched with the caesar salad. Go there on a Friday night and hear raw talented music by a piano man. You must give this place a try.
(5)
Derek S.

Twice I've been impressed by Mamma's. The trifecta of affable servers, ambrosial entrees, and charismatic entertainment has bought my loyalty. The first time was a date about a year or two ago (funny how the food was more memorable than the female) and we both had the Gnocci, which was superb and subtle. The second time was family dinner with such an array of toothsome dishes served promptly and politely that it became evident that you cannot hardly go wrong here. The real charm that won an extra star from me is their resident pianist-singer. The guy is a real treat to listen to and talk with--while sipping wine and waiting for my meal I went behind the piano and watched him there. He'll make the rounds taking requests and though most of the requests are Elton John pop-crap, his facility isn't to be doubted. With three pianists at our table we all threw him as many curveballs as we could come up with and he handled with a smile and an adroit turn at the bench.
(5)
Shannon H.

Two of my favorite words: HAPPY HOUR. At last, my husband and I tried the infamous Mama Melina happy hour last night. We walked right into the cozy little bar - candlelit and dark - and found a great table. After sitting there for about 5 minutes and the clock to 6pm and the end of happy hour ticking by, we had a busser flag down our server for us so we could get our order in under the wire. The bar menu is fantastic. There's a wide variety of food from pasta y fagioli (pasta, beans and cheese), to bruschetta, meatballs, ravioli, calamari and salad as well as a full page of pizzas at a discount, and everything (except the pizzas which are deeply discounted) is half price at happy hour. We ordered the spicy meatballs, a Caesar salad, bruschetta, and the cheese ravioli, and it was enough to share and be satisfied. The bruschetta was really fresh and delicious - not too bitter or salty - just right. The Caesar was also great and a big portion for $3. The best part of the meal though truly was the meatball...it was DELICIOUS. I was actually sad to finish it and said goodbye to the last bite. The raviolis were also great - the pasta was clearly handmade and the marinara was really well done. Not too tart or sweet, just a delicious fresh consistency. We didn't feel "gross" full or greasy when we left - just happy and wanting more. Overall, our bill came to $25 with a glass of wine. The food was fantastic, service was average, but I'll definitely be back for those meatballs. Great neighborhood feel.
(4)
Jon J.

Our Mamma Melina experience started out pretty rough when it took us FOREVER to find a parking space. Every spot on Roosevelt Way (and even on the side streets running parallel to the restaurant) for the few blocks north and south of the restaurant was taken, and to make things even more annoying, it was raining cats and dogs. Since Roosevelt is a one-way and we couldn't just conveniently turn around and go back up the other way, we kept having to drive around the neighborhood on the same loop trying to find a freakin' spot, so at first we were thinking maybe coming here was more trouble than it was worth. Fortunately, our awesome experience once we were finally inside made us quickly forget how maddening all this driving around had been (I should` mention the waiter said they'll be changing locations this spring due to the above mentioned parking issues). The atmosphere inside was really comfortable and relaxing, especially with the dim lighting, light music and there being plenty of candles. We started out with the Bruschetta al Pomodoro, which I had remembered always enjoying at Italian restaurants I'd been to in Italy and Germany. This was bursting with taste, and my girlfriend loved it, so that really helped things get off to a good start. For our entrees, we got the Spaghetti alle Vongole and the Rigatoni di Napoli, both of which were excellent. The portion sizes were pretty much perfect and everything was cooked to perfection. My girlfriend is from Tokyo and basically lives off of noodles and seafood, so since she could get spaghetti with a nice white wine sauce and plenty of clams, she was pretty much in heaven. Towards the end, we were tempted by the desserts, but we ended up being so full from everything that that was pretty much out of the question. The waiter took great care of us the whole time and for such great good and the experience, the prices were really reasonable. Once they switch locations in a couple months, we'll definitely be coming back!
(4)
Peggy P.

Arrived at 5:30 on Sat nite, had the place to ourselves...place was packed when we left at 7:15. Wait staff were annoying, even in empty restaurant kept us waiting, tried to take plates away before we finished, but left empty wine glasses and karafes when they brought fresh ones.,, Grabbed our cards and bill without asking what % to charge to which. Bread and olive oil=great. Salads=good. pizza= good, great thin crust. Wine= good, overpriced. I'm from columbia city so weird to see all white crowd, although nice to see oldsters from merrill gardens mixing with UW kids and their parents...
(3)
Mina W.

My friends took here for my birthday and it was great! I am surprised to see some negative reviews here, because our experience couldn't have been better. Our meal was excellent and the service was top notch. I'll definitely be back. I'm a little sad that they moved out of my neighborhood, and they have certainly gone from cozy and quiet to open and slick. Now that I've been to the new location, I am willing to forgive them.
(5)
Glinda W.

Love the three brother owners. Not only are they welcoming, they are also quite cute. The pizzas here are like you get in Italy, I love the crusts. I had a salmon dish there two nights ago that was perfectly cooked. The atmosphere is quite festive. It is noisy, not the place for a romantic dinner, but great to bring my teenagers to.
(4)
Dave P.

Had a wonderful holiday dinner with some friends last night at Mamma Melina's. Everyone had a great time. The food was superb and prices very good. I had one of the featured specials braised shortrib stew over creamy polenta. It was fantastic. The bread pudding desert was a perfect match after. Covered parking garage available with direct access which is a real nice feature. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Suz K.

This is my first post as a yelper, and I would love to give 5 stars to this neighborhood italian restaurant... when I visited few days ago, however, i had a very disappointing experience. I've been here once before by a friend's suggestion around last year, and had a pretty good time. We went on a night where there was live music, and the food was alright, but I can't recall much about it. So when my English conversational partners wanted to visit the U District and try an Italian restaurant here, the first thought I had was to bring them to Mamma's. It was a mistake. Our server was not friendly at all, probably because she realized they were foreigners. She didn't check up on us after the food came out. Overall, I felt very uncomfortable and not welcomed at all. I am a server as well, so I know what good service is. Even though I didn't feel like it was a good service, I still left well over 20% in tips because they let us get separate checks which I appreciated. I just felt bad for my exchange student friends that I suggested this place. The food was okay, but I've had better Italian food.
(1)
David F.

My friend and I ate here early Sunday evening, looking for some relief from the almost 100 degree heat. We didn't have a reservation and the place was crowded, but we were offered a table in the bar area. After the group of four loud people next to us left, it was fine, even though we were right next to where they were cooking pizzas--not a problem however. We each had a bear and a salad, mine the beet salad, Kim's the butter lettuce (with something, can't remember). We split the mushroom, truffle pizza. Overall, we enjoyed the salads and pizza, which had a thin, well-cooked crust and tasty topping. It all came to less than fifty bucks, which is pretty darn good whenever alcohol is involved. The service was good and our waitress was friendly and attentive without being pushy. Overall a good experience, not an oh my god we died and went to heaven one, but very good. I'd go back for sure.
(4)
Hai Yen N.

I've dined here a few years ago and then for some reason, Mamma Melina just faded out of my restaurant consciousness. A recent visit reminded me that this place is fantastic! Always bustling with patrons, it has a warm and lively atmosphere. Mamma's husband paints all the lovely Italian landscapes that decorate the walls and little oil candles provide low, intimate lighting. A piano player/singer goes around to take requests; what a charming touch. Warm and chewy bread is complimentary for dipping in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I ordered the linguini alla pescatore for my entree and it was sublime. Mussels, clams, calamari and big plump shrimp tossed with linguini in a savory tomato broth. It was lovely. I'll probably visit more often now that my memory's been refreshed.
(4)
Jay R.

I was very disappointed with my experience at their new location. My boyfriend and I had to wait 15 minutes to be seated for our reservation, the front desk staff was unfriendly, and by the time we were seated, our waiter paid us little attention. The lasagna was unimpressive - on the level of open up a can of marinara sauce, definitely not worth the $15 entrÃ©e price. The atmosphere is very cold - concrete floors, dining hall style seating. I miss the piano player and cozy tables of their previous location. Won't be going back for more.
(2)
Kelly C.

The food here was very good. I like the atmosphere and the live piano music was really fun. The service was good in the beginning, but after they brought our meal we were ignored. Perhaps our original waitress' shift was over and she forgot to assign someone else to our table. No one came to refill drinks, which we wanted, or to check on us. We had to flag someone down because we wanted an extra napkin. When we were done eating we wanted to try a dessert but we were still ignored for a long while. Eventually someone asked how we were. We ended up getting a dessert to go and our check.
(3)
Matt T.

Interesting little Italian joint tucked away in the U District. No frills menu with the usual Italian-American options, but you know, pretty good; better than I'd expect. The host/ manager dude was pretty hot and that always makes eating funner. Hot people are so cool. So yeah it was pretty good.
(4)
Ireina B.

A good, safe Italian restaurant. Could use some more variety for people who don't eat pork and could also use a makeover. It seems that it should be more modern.
(3)
Ellen C.

If you go, go on Tuesday. Mamma Melina's has a great atmosphere, and Tuesdays are half-price wine night, which is an awesome deal. The food is consistent if a bit too normal, especially given the price. The service is friendly, although not spectacular. Oh, bring requests for the pianist if you go, he always comes around asking
(3)
Lori B.

I love this place, my fav salad is the Grilled octopus, steamed potatoes, citrus emulsion and I have a hard time ordering anything other than the Linguine, wild Oregon smoked salmon, fresh Dungeness crab and light cream, it's wonderful! They also have a great selection of bubbles. They used to have "Roederer" Brut Rose' and I'm hoping they will add "J" Rose' to their wine list at some point. :-) The staff's great too!
(5)
Abigail K.

Great happy hour during the summer!! with comfy couches in the sun and the amazing deals its really a nice way to spend an afternoon. Dinner on the other hand, not my first choice. The food was good but definitely didn't wow me, and for the prices.. I was hoping to be amazed. I love that they have peroni on tap though.. always a plus!
(3)
Amanda H.

oh.my .god loved it! Its small and cozy and perfect! The piano bar is great and you can even request songs! He did Stairway to Heaven for us.... yes, he's that awesome :) The food is great and the service is amazing! I would definitely recommend!
(4)
Krystle B.

This is an oldie place. I've been going here since college when it was on 50th and Roosevelt. They moved down to Uvillage to a really classy place. The prices are the same, it's always busy and the service and food is always good. Sometimes I wish they changed up the menu a bit more, but the brothers always recognize you when you come in. Their happy hour is amazing and they have an early one and late night one everyday. I love this place, I recommend it to everyone.
(5)
Nina H.

I can see why this place has such awesome reviews but then again, it wasn't exactly the best Italian dining experience I've had. My friend and I made reservations for 6:45 and we arrived at 6:40 but we still waited until like 6:55ish... I was kind of annoyed because the whole point of making reservations is so that we can be seated at that time or before other guests. I'm also impatient, hmph. But the service made up for the wait in the beginning. The food was mediocre for the price... I ordered the spaghetti alle vongole which had clams, white wine, garlic parsley.The portion was just right but it was a little too much parsley for my liking. I felt like I could've made that pasta at home if I tried but... oh well. Maybe I should've gotten something else. It was kind of noisy in the restaurant but then again, it's a small and intimate setting so that's pretty much inevitable. I really enjoyed the live music that started around 7:20 p.m. that night. The man who was singing had a really great voice and it was a nice surprise.
(3)
Lena S.

Best happy hour in town!!! Amazing pizza. Staff is great! We often come with large parties (too large for the bar) and they let us sit outside of the bar and still receive happy hour prices. It's great ! Sad they don't have the calamari pasta anymore though !
(5)
Kerry S.

I've only been here for the late night happy hour, which is a great deal! With a group of 8, we had several appetizers and a few bottles of wine and left with an $8 per person tab. The happy hour is 1/2 price on all of the bar food and cheap, cheap drinks.
(4)
lesley h.

I've eaten here 4 times now ( 3 were happy hour). I love the decor. If the bar is full during happy hour, they let you have happy hour in the dining room. Favorite happy hpur dish: ravioli with veal meat sauce (theres a couple other meats in the sauce too.) It's a wonderful happy hour and the house wine rotates and it's always good! Our dinner (the non-happy hour) was excellent. We had the crab salad and veal scallopini. The $42 bottle of wine was surprisingly excellent. The outdoor seating is nice too. Service is great. Staff is always friendly. Free parking in the garage. I'm coming back! Oh and I prefer this to its sister restaurant Barolo because its more normal people and some families. (No deusches).
(5)
Rob Y.

I can see why some people only give three stars, if you go for the pasta, they are OK. They do have an awesome patio, the host and staff are cool, they remembers us and we always get at least decent service. If you are watching calories, I would recommend the scampi or the chicken sandwich (lunch only).
(4)
Eric F.

I lived in Tuscany for a couple of summers and learned what good, authentic NORTHERN Italian food is all about. It's hard to find in the USA. But here in Seattle we are lucky as there are several places that do it right. Mamma Melina's is one of these. Their pizza is FANTASTIC. As good as the best neighborhood places in Tuscany. Everything else I've tried there has been equally good. And it's really not that expensive, given the white-table-cloth atmosphere and location. Actually I wish it were a little more casual, I would probably eat there more. Plus, free off-street covered parking, a rarity in the area. Check it out, you will love it.
(5)
Liz T.

What you already know: The old location was better, not to say this location sucks. New location is sleek and beautiful, but if you've ever been to the old the world-class Italian, down-home feel with the live piano and the opera singing guy who takes requests even if it's Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" or That's Amore!" to add a little laughter to your date - blah, blah, blah - you know it all. What you don't know: Every time I go there I at least have one plate that is so heavenly, I seriously thank God and tell him it's fine to take me 'cause I'm not scared - I know what's coming. Tonight I had the spaghetti with lobster and clams. Holy moly the thing was perfect. Sauce - 10. Noodles al dente - 10. Lobster and clams - 10. Dish - perfect 10. I've literally only felt this way about a dish a couple other times in my life - and they were all home cooked by my mother. Food has never made me feel this way before. Seriously. I am completely swept off my feet right now. Even though this restaurant used to be my hands down favorite and it's not anymore since the old ambiance is gone - the dish I had tonight was good enough to make me write a review. Still too sad about losing the old place to give it a full 5 though, even though the dish was a 10! A perfect 10! And that's all she wrote.
(4)
Veronica D.

Amazing happy hour. Cheap drinks & food. And quality!
(5)
Eugene O.

After frequenting the old Mamma Melina on 47th and Roosevelt, this new location felt like a totally different restaurant. No old world charm, no piano and no coziness of the old here. It is all modern, with sleek decor, an open (and huge) dining room and a staff that is exponentially larger than the old. But I can understand that restaurants need to change. I'm still getting over this. The food was thankfully, good. I couldn't find my favorite fettucini with peas, prosciutto on the menu, which is quite a shame. But the fettucini bolognese was good, although not nearly the same. Everything else, from the pizzas, to the gnocchi and the bread, were quite appetizing. The staff was nice enough to bring out a tiramisu cake for a birthday in our party. We didn't even have to ask. It's going to take a while for me to get used to this place, but I'm thinking it'll be A-OK.
(3)
Jeff D.

I had such high hopes for this restaurant after driving past it so many times, but it seemed to just miss the mark. It had all the opportunity to be a fantastic birthday dinner for my girlfriend and I, but little things were just not quite there. We ordered drinks right when we got there, and our waitress never came back to see if we wanted any more (and we would have ordered more). So our one drink each was supposed to last us from bread through an appetizer and our dinner. In addition we were waiting for our waitress to come by to ask for our check for quite a while. Left a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth. The ambiance would have been great (the restaurant itself is set up very nicely), but we were placed at our table for two next to what seemed to be a large cocktail party, with only a cloth, see-through curtain between us. These people were clearly having a good time, but were quite loud and it made it a little difficult for conversation at times. The food was the best part. The linguine with smoked salmon and dungeness crab was very good, although my gf had a bite and got some pieces of crab shell... She had a prosciutto and arugula pizza, and the bite i had was very tasty. After reading about the happy hour specials, it seems like that would be the price point I would want to come back here for. I'll probably be back at some point, but only when it's nice out and we can sit outside.
(3)
Marcie C.

We came here for my husband's birthday on Friday night and it was a night to remember! The food was really tasty. My husband's meal came with polenta (something he despises since his brain tricks him into thinking it is mashed potatoes). He ate them all up! And my pasta was so good that I had 3 people stealing bites! I highly recommend their panna cotta. It was so rich and creamy and the raspberries just popped! Because it as his birthday, the waiter brought out a tiramisu with a candle in it! The tiramisu was light and airy and yummy! I also recommend their cheesecake because it has mango and passion fruit! The service here is really outstanding!
(4)
Nelson Y.

You have to order their osso bucco... best in Seattle in my opinion!!! Love the atmosphere- reminds me of Lucia in Kirkland and Barolo in South Lake Union (both which are great places to eat.)
(4)
Calvin F.

I have visited Mamma Melina on several occasions. I've been there with friends, I've been there with family, I've taken a large (20 person) group, and I've taken my girlfriend. Simply put, I love it. The food is great -- I've had a variety of the dishes including the pizza, chicken, and various pasta dishes. I enjoy it every time. It's worth taking your time and starting out with the appetizers (the bruschetta is fabulous), the entree, and some wine. If you have room for dessert the sorbet is fantastic. I've had coffee and tira misu a couple times as well and that was good, too.
(5)
Paul H.

So sad to see this place go from what it once was.... -It used to be a great experience, great food, great service, I always felt like I knew about a great place that the world didn't know about. -Now in their new location, it just seems like they want my money as fast as they can take it and then move to the next customer. Valentines day FAIL- Myself and another friend made separate reservations for Valentines day here. We thought it would be a great place to go for a nice meal.... They sat us at COMMUNITY tables, WITHOUT telling us before hand...so we were at a table with another couple we did not know... effectively ruining both couples experiences when they had planned a romantic evening...unreal in my opinion.
(2)
John A.

Mamma Melina continues to excel in the Italian Food arena. Saturday night my wife ate there with another couple and were again blown away by the entire experience. Our server Emily was absolutely delightful and competent. She made certain that we were not without a thing. The four of us shared the eggplant appetizer and the burrata. The eggplant prepared with a very tasty marinara was terrific. The burrata served with speck and sliced pear was as good as it gets. Two of us had the lamb shank, one had crab and smoked salmon pasta and one had pancetta wrapped prawns. We all agreed that Mamma Melina has a terrific and varied menu. I had the lamb shank which was artfully braised and presented on a bed of course ground polenta. I am helpless when we eat here. The lamb shank appears on my plate every time. Thanks to the manager Aaron and server Emily for a memorable evening.
(5)
Izzy H.

I've been waiting to go here for years. Finally, once a friend had gone I dragged the boyfriend there. The order? Half of their specials list [ mussels served as an appetizer + king salmon with risotto ] and the boy had something in a white wine reduction with clams. We also had a bottle of white wine to share. I don't know what everybody is complaining about - but then again, we came a little earlier and on a Tuesday night around 6 p.m. We were seated immediately, menus passed out, and there was zero sales pressure to purchase wine or an appetizer. Nor were we snubbed by anybody in spite of our semi-casual dress. Our bread basket was always full, our water glasses never more than half empty, our waiter friendly, happy and helpful. And the maitre d'/floor manager was respectful and even checked to make sure our dinner was delicious. I never wanted for anything in the meal that wasn't whisked to our table several seconds after it occurred to me I needed it. Our total bill came to just a little under 100 - alcohol and a 20% tip included. We will definitely be back to try more of their specials whenever there is an upcoming anniversary or just one of those "pamper" times. Also - we had balsamic vinegar + olive oil with our bread (yummy!)
(4)
Elizabeth M.

Their happy hour is fantastic. Great food, great prices, nice bar section. Excellent service. Lose your divey happy hour and go to this one. The stuff I love on the happy hour menu are the signature drink, the rigatoni, and the burger. The eggplant parmesan was disappointing.
(4)
Lonny L.

I have been going to Mama Melina's for many, many years and love their new location and the ambiance of the restaurant now. The service was fine and before we were even fully seated, the bread was already at our table. Bread is very good. We ordered both pasta and pizza dishes for dinner. I would say that the food was good but not great. What was great, however, was the tirimisu. So delicious.
(4)
Urban L.

A friend was a fan of this restaurant from its previous location, so we gave it a try on a special occasion. None of us plan to go back. Poor service, acoustics which amplify background noise (waitress could barely hear us), and they gave me a meat calzone instead of the ordered vegetarian calzone -- only discovered after I took a bite. In their favor - they comp'd one dessert to make up for the calzone. Not that this type of mistake can really be undone.
(1)
Junko S.

I've been wanting to eat at Mama Melina's for a while... We finally got a babysitter and the mister and I had a long overdue date night. I chose Mama Melina for dinner and I'm so happy that I did. The decor is modern, the service was great and the food even better. We started off with calamari then had the risotto and lasagna. Both were items we would definitely order again. I just wish the portions were bigger for the price. We were seated outside and was able to enjoy the warm weather. The patio/lounge area is definitely a nice touch. Mama Melina is a nice addition to the U. Village neighborhood!
(4)
Stephanie C.

I wasn't happy with our experience here. If it were up to me, I would have left... but the boys don't get annoyed with crappy service as quickly as I do. I had a feeling things weren't going to go right as soon as we walked into the establishment. There were no host/hostess in sight... the bar was small and there was no room to sit. So I asked a gal that walked past if there was happy hour on the patio. She quickly said "wait, someone will be with you" and walked away from me. She walked past again and pointed us towards a gentleman that was approaching. I asked him if there was happy hour on the patio, he said yes... then we kind of stood there awkwardly. Eventually, he told us to help ourselves... but couldn't that have just been said earlier? The restaurant and outdoor patio area is absolutely beautiful... our group ended up grabbing a couch at the end of the patio away from the settled in groups. Who knew we picked such a terrible spot... it took a good 10 minutes before we even got acknowledgement, water or menus. I would understand if the restaurant was packed... but it was fairly empty minus a few groups on the other side of the patio. So we get our drinks and then they ask us for ID.. so unorganized! For such a pretty place, it's a real shame that the experience doesn't live up to the decor and ambiance. She was quick to give/process our check though. The meatballs were good. I'll give it another try in the future.
(3)
Carla F.

The last time I went here was before they moved to the location near UVillage, when they were under the Seven Gables Theatre. Some of the very best Italian dining I've ever had in my life. Absolutely loved the cozy, romantic setting of the restaurant and on the weekends, the wait staff serenades patrons with Italian opera! It would get crowded, then a tad loud during the rush hours. I wonder if this is still the case at the new location. Menu standouts: Bruschetta - vibrant presentation and the flavors are thoughtfully composed. A dish that tastes like it's been in the making for days or months, because of the marrying of the EVOO & tomatoes. Spaghetti alla Vongole - Italian done right with NW seafood Zabaglione - I believe this is seasonal, but worth a designated trip, at the least, for this delicious berry & cream caudle dessert. I don't eat veal, but everyone I know who's had it says the veal scallopine w/ chanterelle mushrooms is terrific. Oh, and the Tiramisu is mind-blowingly divine! The ladyfingers are not over-doused with liqueur, and the mascarpone custard is so light and fluffy one could be tempted to order seconds. (Not that I did, I'm just saying ...)
(5)
Micki S.

Ok, I've eaten in the restaurant once, and it's good. BUT, you know what's really good?! Their bar. Happy hour menu. Excellent food, and their entire bar menu becomes 50% off during the twice-daily happy hours. I LOVE their bar menu. The food portion is generous, too. It's not HUGE, but it's large enough as a real meal, most of them are not little appetizer size. I love the atmosphere, too. They make nice cocktails also. I have one pet peeve. Not specific to them, but this place is one of them. Why not make the happy hour menu available outside the bar. It's in the same space. Sure, require that the people order drinks, alcoholic or not, in order to take advantage of the happy hour menu. It's open space, bar right next to the dining room, no walls, no gates. If you have a minor with you in this state, you can't sit in the bar. We with kids are penalized for having minors with us, and can't enjoy the happy hour menu. Families are the ones who have bigger expenses and would really appreciate the happy hour reduced priced food. Especially single parents. Give us some break. There are many places in Seattle who make the happy hour menu available to the entire restaurant space, and not just in the bar. Mamma Melina -- I know your food is good in the bar, in the restaurant. We eat at both, but sometimes we prefer the simplicity of the bar menu, even when we are with the kids. Sure, you said, and offered the bar menu in the restaurant dining area during happy hour. You charged a full price. What a disappointment. You won't receive the 5-star review from me until you make some changes on this.
(4)
Luisa I.

I hate to compare this location with the old one, but it is completely different - to the point where they should have renamed the place. The menu is different (I miss the flatbread that used to come as an appetizer, for one), and the vibe is very different. They were definitely going for a modern/trendy look and feel in this new location. Sadly, that is just not our scene... we miss the cozy little Italian restaurant that the old Mama Melina's (Roosevelt and 50th) use to be.
(2)
Cynthia L.

I have been to their new location and I love the decor. I will say it is a little odd that in all of the nice and upscale/loungy design, they decided to get cheapy salt and pepper shakers... seriously they are from the grocery store, and aren't even in a shaker... Yeah very weird that I noticed it, and now you will! I came in with my friend for Dine Around Seattle during lunch. It was quite delicious, I had mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto. The mozzarella was very light and the prosciutto was a perfect complement. I also had so rigatoni with mushrooms, well seasoned although I would have liked more mushrooms. My friend actually ordered the same dish and she had significantly more mushrooms. The tiramisu was mediocre- although not dry it just wasn't memorable. I'm not sure I'd pay the full price, but next time Dine Around Seattle comes back this place will be at the top of the list.
(4)
Robin K.

four stars for the food, 2-3 for the service which is less attentive than I would like.
(4)
Laura G.

One word: Excellent! Looking forward to dining here again next time we visit U Village.
(5)
Larry R.

As a regular patron, a current location is a quite large and pretty impressive, more of a high class restaurant. I would definitely think the foods and the service were way better on Roosevelt location. We'd just loved to dine there, they were more like a real family restaurant in Italy and a down to earth service. But, so far we've been to this new place few times and each visit there was mishap. But we just love the foods and keep going back.
(3)
Kellan M.

Mamma Melina's was able to produce a great birthday party for 15 people with friendly, attentive service (without being annoying) and very tasty dishes. I had my 25th birthday here a few days ago. I called a day before & set up a reservation for 15 people at 7 pm. I arrived with a few guests at 6:30 and the table was ready and waiting. The host greeted us and brought us to the table, followed by some wine. The food was delivered in a fair amount of time given the restaurant was full and we had 15 people to feed. The food was very good as well. To top it all off, there was a piano player/singer who came to my table to sing happy birthday. I would definitely return here.
(5)
Laura B.

miss the old location. this is too modern, too cold. the food was just OK. the cost is too high and the quality just isn't there. feels like a fancy cafeteria. beet salad. polenta. spinach. lasagna. all just OK. sorry. I'll try the pizza next time.... if I bother going. parking is easy in the structure under the building. service was good.
(2)
Sharon B.

Tuscan bean soup without cannellini--I don't think so!! What a disappointment . Plus, I ordered a nice Vernacca wine and it wasn't available. I would be willing to give them a second chance. Our waiter was very nice, and the ambience was great.
(3)
LJ W.

They really botched the reservations set up a week in advance for my 10th wedding anniversary last June. (Was in there system, but no one set it up.) When we were finally seated, we were placed in an echo filled room where one side of the table couldn't hear the other (and there was only 6 of us) - oh, and we had a nice view of the bathrooms too. Then, we were made to get up because they had better seats for us - outside. This would have been fine except they only informed us that the heaters weren't working once we we started to get chilly and asked for them. Half of us liked our food, the other half hated our food. And the half that liked, thought the prices were ridiculous for quality and quantity you got. I'm still giving them two stars because I suspect the food was better than we thought, but we were all seeing it through "cranky-because-our-night-was-screwed-up glasses." --- My standard rating disclaimer: I rate places as compared to other similar places. In other words a hot dog cart or taco stand can easily be five-stars when compared to other carts and stands.
(2)
Kat L.

Fantastic Happy Hour! The food was delicious, the vibe was fresh and fun, the wine/ drink specials-- a delightful surprise, and the service was nothing short of PERFECT, attentive without intrusion! Loved it! I started with the blood orange absolute martini - $5 -- and worth every drop + more. YUM! Bottles of wine on happy hour were 1/2 price --- surprisingly smooth and palatable...shocking for HH - very nice! We shared the bruschetta, the cheese ravioli, and a margarita pizza-- all half price...and simple, cheap, delicious... exactly what you look for in a happy hour! The restaurant is lovely, chandeliers, modern, and hip... the servers were totally dialed, professional and created a wonderful space for dining (even if it was only HH) I'll be back for happy hour without a doubt -- maybe even dinner too! Thanks for a great experience Mama's it was lovely!
(4)
Denis C.

I have been here twice, both times while visiting the great city of Seattle. If you want a taste of what the locals like near UW, then check out this little restaurant. What makes this place so special is the man behind the piano. He can sing and play anything that you request. Once the music gets going, everything about this place gets better--the atmosphere, the food and the wine. I personally like the chicken marsala with a nice glass of Riesling. Make sure that you make a reservation as it gets packed very quickly. Casual attire is OK and the servers are very friendly and attentive. We always walk to the restaurant as parking can be expensive in Seattle. I always leave this place with "That's Amore" playing in my head.
(4)
Xav Z.

For some reason I love this place. Have you been to Buenos Aires? Did you go to Puerto Madero? This place reminds me of the restaurants of Puerto Madero... for some reason. The food is not wonderful but the service is their best asset. It is clear to me that they want their service to be superb and it shows. I wish there was more sitting outside for happy hour in the summer.
(4)
Ken J.

Had lunch with a friend/colleague yesterday. Everything was excellent. Staff was attentive and pleasant. Had the soup, salmon and cannolo prix fixe. Wonderful favors and presentation. Perfect portions. Will come again.
(5)
Tara Y.

Like many other reviewers, I loved Ristorante Mamma Melina when it was located on Roosevelt. It was quaint, charming and the food and service was excellent. My husband and I decided to try the new Momma Melina location during restaurant week and sadly the restaurant which used to receive a 5-star rating is now a 2-star establishment for the following reasons: 1. It has lost its rustic charm. 2. The food, while not bad, was not nearly as good as I remember. 3. The service was good, although I felt like it was not as authentic. 4. The atmosphere is much more fake and not as genuine, which is fine, although I digress back to #1 that the restaurant has lost its rustic charm (one of the many reasons why we loved it). While I do wish the old Momma Melina would re-open its doors, I feel it is only fair to give the new Momma Melina another chance.
(2)
M Z.

Went here for happy hour. Arrived at 5 to an almost empty resto. We wanted to sit outside where there were a plethora of empty tables and two sofas. Sofas were taken and apparently that is the only place you can enjoy happy hour outside. Come on, when our summer is 3 weeks long in Seattle and it's nice out and a MONDAY, I don't want to sit in your dark cave of a bar for happy hour, because you think your patio will fill up with dinner guests. Went to Sonrisa at UV instead for a lovely happy hour outside in the sun.
(3)
dreina b.

Meh is right.. My best friend and I used to frequent the old location, and loved everything about it. It was warm, friendly, it felt like I was walking into a house, rather than a resturant.. When we were told they were moving to a bigger / better location, we were very excited to try it out.. Sadly, it was beyond disappointing.. The flatbread is no longer, the furniture is very 'mod' looking and the atmosphere is very stuffy, cold and kind rigid.. and please someone tell me *WHY* they have framed pictures on the ceiling?? Odd.. very odd.. So, goodbye Mamma Melina! We will never haunt your establishment again..
(2)
Tabatha J.

I'm probably on the same page as the old Mama Melina's guests that i loved the older version much more. For those that never went there, you will find this place to be a bit pricey (now that's it's competing with a different level of restaurants and service) but a great place for dinner. We can't compare the two, as like I said it is pretty much a new restaurant. I love the food here, the staff is very welcoming and friendly. It's a great place for happy hour drinks with a wide selection. it can be pricey, whcih I wouldnt mind paying more often if the portions were a little bigger. I've been eating here for years.
(4)
Summer M.

The room is inviting, the service.. lovely. Other than that, I'm not impressed. The food was so-so. We had an appetizer and two entrees, all three of which were served with the very same marinara sauce. I would not go here again. I'll stick with Pasta Bella in Ballard for my "authentic Italian"
(2)
Poulina K.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for restaurants with old world understated yet rich flavor and moder decor! After getting our nails done at Julep, we decided to check out Happy Hour at Melina's. My first time here and I loved it. Service, ambiance, bar staff and of course the food were absolutely fantastic. Happy Hour menu made it easy on the pocket book and I got to sample 5 dishes. Beef Carpaccio was melt in your mouth fresh and perfectly seasoned. Mussels and Antipasto Misto also stood out, finish it off with a glass of house red and Voila! One happy customer. I will be back for a full dinner experience and also to give these guys a chance at 5 stars, I have a feeling they will deliver.
(4)
Rachel G.

Fabulous! My boyfriend took me this evening for Valentines dinner, we made a reservation and were seated on time. Our waitperson was Shandi and she was knowledgable and attentive without being overly so. We haven't been there since they moved from 50th and Roosevelt. The interior is comfortable and upscale without any pretension, one could go in very casual attire and not feel out of place. There is an area available for a party of thirty or so, wonderful for graduation, rehearsal dinner, or a modest wedding reception. The food was just wonderful. We shared an appetizer of fresh mozzarella, salted meats and pears. Our dinners were also very well done. I had the sirloin steak, an incredible polenta and wild mushrooms. My sweet heart had the wild caught salmon with pasta and fried leeks. Dessert was very different and quite delicious, a layered cookie like base with a smooth and creamy gelato topped by a seasonal sorbet, Yum! We will definitely return and both recommend it to anyone looking for a gourmet treat.
(5)
Tracy M.

The new location is very sleek and modern, and nicely large, with a parking lot. But it's missing the charm of the old location. Also, the two times we've eaten at the new location, there have been some inconsistencies. Still, the food has been decent (although they changed the bread...the old bread was better, in our opinion, but complaining about the free part of the meal feels silly). A few menu items have changed and some of the prices feel more expensive than they used to be (but maybe it's just that the whole place LOOKS so expensive now that I'm more aware of how much I'm spending). I miss the piano music and serenades. Still, had I never eaten at the former location, I'd probably give this place 4 stars, but it's gone from MY FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT to a decent 3-star place...nothing horribly wrong, but it's missing SOUL/personality, somehow. That said, the gnocchi is friggin delicious, and their specials can be quite nice. If you've never been before, definitely check it out. Without the nostalgia clouding your experience, you'll probably love it more. Still a great "date night" location, but for a different type of couple. Less charm (with its attendant cracks and crumbles), more top-of-the-line fancy sleekness.
(3)
Ally W.

I always go by this place and look inside thinking, 'dang, this place looks swanky!', which ironically enough was my deterrent since I could only imagine how the cost of a potential meal there would single-handedly put me in debt. So when I saw its name on the list for Seattle Restaurant Week, I jumped on the opportunity in a heart beat! My boyfriend and I walked in, and WOW this place IS swanky! More so than can be seen by the outside, I was pretty amazed. It was so nice, we both felt undressed even though others dining were in casual clothing. The service is outstanding - our waitress was so good, she refilled our water glasses just about every time we took a sip! And the food is absolutely delicious. My first experience trying risotto, and I believe they hit it spot on. Plus their tiramisu dessert is divine :) This place is probably worth the money on a regular day basis, but you should definitely take advantage of it right now during Restaurant Week. It can't be missed!
(4)
Katherine F.

Really nice ambiance. Free covered parking. Good service. Nice bathrooms (heated toilet seats), BUT... The food wasn't impressive and it was very overpriced. Probably wouldn't come here again unless I was going just for ambiance and not flavors or food.
(3)
C Y.

Came back for a formal dinner, left somewhat disappointed. I had recommended Ristorante Mamma Melina for a post meeting dinner. Two of our out of town guests were fluent in Italian and Italian culture, unfortunately our server was not. She failed to recognize the menu items in Italian. Service was substandard all evening. In fairness I can't blame the server, I think the fault lies with lack of training. Our meals were all fine, but I think I miss the old Mama Melina's. The new image needs some fine tuning. Loose that music on the restaurant web site.
(3)
Jeff H.

The new Mamma Melina's at this location has a nice modern feel to it. I like the decor, especially how they mounted the paintings on the ceiling. The outdoor sitting area is great for the occasional warm days that we have in Seattle. The food is decent and I've received great service. I would attribute some of the great service I've received to them remembering me from previous visits at the old location. When the new location opened, the old one still existed. It appeared they were going to have two, very different looking establishments that would cater to two different types of crowds which I thought was brilliant and very cool. It turns out I'm a wishful thinker. The down-side of the new Ristorante...I know about the previous Ristorante. The previous Mamma Melina's was located on the corner of 50th and Roosevelt in a much older facility which added to the warmth, charm, and old Italian feel of the restaurant. There were pictures of famous visitors on the wall behind the piano. The beautiful large and not-so-large pictures on the wall were painted by the owner. On certain nights of the week everyone was practically family...all sitting at tables, eating great food, and singing Italian songs along with the gentleman behind the piano. As for the food...it was pleasing to my taste buds. Antipasti of choice: Calamari di Saltati Secondi of choice: Vitello al Marsala Both these items have been off the menu for several years now. However, at the previous location, I could talk to one of the family members that worked at the restaurant and still order them...which I have to admit made me feel great...knowing that I was a long-time customer that was ordering food gems no longer known to the general public. At the new location, as expected, neither dish is on the menu. I was told they are not set up appropriately to prepare Calamari di Saltati and when I ordered Vitello al Marsala x 2, it was not the same dish as I had come to know and love. I had been a patron at Mamma's for the last 13 years for a variety of special occasions; and from my perspective, Mamma Melina's is gone. It breaks my heart...seriously.
(3)
Sarah B.

I finally tried Mamma Melina years after first seeing it when the restaurant was located on Roosevelt. Such a great location with the large outdoor patio and only a couple of blocks from U Village. My friend and I met there for dinner and were lucky to have come during Dine Around Seattle. We shared the polenta with a mushroom ragu and the cream of asparagus soup. The polenta was three crispy squares of polenta with the mushroom ragu spooned on top. The soup was smooth and had great flavor. Both were perfect sizes for sharing knowing that we had two more courses coming. We both chose the Painted Hills steak with risotto for the main course. The steak was absolutely delicious and so tender. You didn't even need a steak knife to cut through it! Our waitress made sure that both of our steaks were cooked properly - medium rare and medium. The risotto was perfect with great flavor and still a bit of toothsome bite to it. We both loved this dish. For dessert we both chose the cannoli that had mini chocolate chips in the filling. This dessert was not too heavy so it was a perfect ending. The only thing I didn't like was that it was served on an awful chocolate sauce which I think was Hershey's syrup. Overall a very nice dinner complete with good wine and service that was friendly, attentive and helpful. This is one of the best restaurants in this area of town by far. If you find yourself in the area, or shopping at the University Village, I would head over here for a delicious lunch or dinner.
(4)
Rachel P.

I read the reviews before I went tonight (Wednesday night). I have to disagree with any poor reviews. We walked in a little after 7:30 and the place was full, not totally full but it's a good thing we were just a party of two. Service was excellent, refilling water without asking, perfect timing on all dishes and such. And when I say service was excellent, we weren't rushed but at the same time it wasn't too slow- just right. I had the risotto, and will have plenty left over for lunch tomorrow. My friend had the rigatoni with meat-balls (i think that's what he had) and he wolfed it down pretty quick- must have been good. We shared the grilled-stuffed eggplant to start- it was very good. It went well with the bread- which I'm not sure I loved but it was soft and seemed fresh. Atmosphere was good. I'll be back, probably not a traditional busy night- the tables were a bit cozy. There ARE other good Italian places around but they had a good menu and service was good. The menu was not covered in cheese, as some places are. Also apparently on weekends, a guy plays the piano in there- that would be noisy as the place is cozy and some areas seemed to echo a bit when things were pretty lively. Go and try!
(4)
Henry L.

Sometimes you just can't ever come home again. It's probably not even fair for me to compare it to the old location. But in the transition to the new location, it just feels like it lost the spirit and I miss it tons. The new location no longer offers up the fresh baked bread that I couldn't ever get enough of. I used to have to be careful for I would over indulge on the bread. Now it's just blah bread that you can get anywhere else. The dark intimate decor is now bright and modern. While it's beautiful, there was something about the dark and cozy that made it feel more like home. The service has always been great at Mama Melina's. At the old place, there was just something familial about the experience. Now I'm at a restaurant. Not to say that the service was bad. Everything was prompt and cordial. But their familiarity is lost somehow. I really really wanted to love the new Mama Melina. But she's not the mama I knew. It may be serving from the same recipes, but the menu isn't quite the same. The vibe is definitely not the same. So it probably wasn't fair of me to compare it to my memories. It just makes me a little sad that I won't ever be able to go back there. The new restaurant has pretty modern decor. It's clean inside and there's now a bar. The outside patio area looks like it'll be nice during the warmer Seattle days. The food is pretty good. Not amazing, but pretty decent. Dunno if they still do half price wines on Tuesdays nor if they still have live music. P.S. Some of my favorite memories at Mama's were years and years ago. We would sing along lots to the live music... especially "That's AmorÃ©." But what really blew us away one night was when one of the servers started busting out opera. It filled the whole room and was amazing.
(3)
Chelle G.

I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I used to love Mamma Melina's. They were a tiny, hole-in-the-wall with great food, a cozy environment, good service, and the occasional live piano music. Then they moved to U-Village. Our first visit after the move was a weekend and close to their re-opening, so they were CROWDED. But that was no excuse for us to have to wait 30-45 minutes for our main courses to arrive. Our food was cold and tasteless, with smaller proportions and higher prices. The ambiance was modern in an impersonal way, and the wait staff acted like they no longer cared about the diner's experience. We used to order a three-course meal and drinks each visit. I can't say I'd want to do that now. I may go back at some point to give the new location/menu another shot. I may not.
(3)
Cecilia V.

I would have not been happy if I had come for dinner. Cute place, like the decor. Had the $15 lunch special, beet salad (good) for the app & spaghetti calamari (not good at all) for the entree. Beet salad was fresh and delicious. Spaghetti calamari was horrible. I urge you to avoid it at all costs. Truffle mushroom pizza one of us had was very good. Service was rather strange. All three of us waited 40 min before getting our salads (caesar, beet, caprese). I'm very patient, but that seems a little extreme for three small salads when they weren't even that busy really. There was maybe 1 table seated inside and 3/4 were full on the patio. Long waits just don't work out well for a business lunch. Maybe service/food is better at dinner? But I don't think I'm willing to risk it. Overall impression is that it's a bit overpriced for the quality. I would be willing to return for a second try strictly for happy hour I think...
(2)
Wanda J.

We had a family dinner here of 37 people and I want to say that it was the best food and service I have gotten at a restaurant in a very long time. Their banquet menu is delicious and awesome and it was very reasonably price too. If you are looking for someplace for a large group and have everyone happy, this is the place to come! Even my brother, who is extremely picky and used to the best dining, approved. The service was impeccable. Thank you Mamma Melina for a memorable experience!
(5)
Jenny F.

Visited this restaurant/new location again this last week. The food was excellent again. In a perfect world, the service would be stellar; they seem too busy for their britches sometimes, and the last thing I will do is be a picky, spoiled American. ;) They are great at what they do, and not perfect. But who is? You will have a great experience if you go here.
(5)
Christie P.

::baffled look:: Solid 4 star Yelp restaurant? Balderdash! First, the Mamma Melina's most of you have come to love seems to be no more. High end design, bistro techno music, and clientele I usually associate with the East Side grace this recently moved restaurant. I had never gotten a chance to experience the old haunt, but I hoped, even with their serious face lift, the food would still be as stellar as so reviewed. First - the bread?: ::serious brow furrow:: I say "bread?" because it was nothing like the bread I had ever experienced at any Italian restaurant, much less Italy. Is it... chewy? The crust.. soft? Hum. Second - salad: We shared the goat cheese and hazelnut salad, but it was more salad dressing than anything. But still, a good combination of tang, savory and crunch. Third- dinner: I ordered the mushroom ravioli with a cherry tomato sauce, the Hubby - fettuccine with prosciutto, fava beans, and mushrooms in a cream sauce. Holy al dente Batman! Believe me, limp, overcooked pasta is an automatic fail for me... but so is undercooked. I seriously had to chomp down on some of my ravioli. I shouldn't have to work that hard. The mushroom filling? Mostly disappointing. The sauce, luckily, had a subtle heat kick and was quite tasty; however it did nothing to actually enhance the dish. The Hubby's fettuccine was only marginally better. I heard once that cooks use bacon as a crutch, and I believe that is true for this dish. We are completely baffled at this point. Did we order the wrong thing? Did we come on a bad night? Maybe dessert is their shining star! ::sigh:: Nope. The sweetest cannoli I have ever tasted. Where is the savory ricotta? The hint of pistachio? Also, it's a sad day when the garnish to the dessert, three small pieces of candied lemon peel with a flavorless lemon torte, is the best thing. The biggest saving grace of the whole evening was the service. The hostesses were very kind and welcoming. The one of two managers walking around was making sure everything was quick, seamless, the perfect combination of wanting their current customers happy and comfortable, and getting new restaurateurs to a table as soon as they possibly could. Our waitress was also great. Fifty-something dollars later, we left depressed with unsatisfied palates. I've definitely had better, even at Olive Garden.
(2)
Rachel G.

I can't say the food is totally amazing, but it is decent and the new location is spectacular. Reminds me of South Beach or something, totally sexed up and a great place for a date. And you can never go wrong with the gnocchi.
(3)
Jeff K.

There's really nothing to complain about. Great ambience, menu, service, wine list, and cocktails. I've had better Italian food in Italy, New York, Las Vegas, LA, etc. However, my osso bucco was properly cooked, huge, and delicious. The pear tart was correctly executed, with the pear still pliant and not mealy and overcooked. The cocktail was superb. There's nothing avant garde or even overly traditional about the menu. I did not notice a lot of gluten-free items, which oddly seem to be a trend or obsession in Seattle restaurants. The prices are a steal compared to similar restaurants in other large cities. There is a nice outdoor seating area.
(4)
Naveed N.

Not too bad, but not quite worthy of that 4th star.. +1 star for location, parking, decor/ambience (decent) +1 star for friendly and good looking wait-staff +1 star for food/drink (great wine selection) I had the Cuore di Romana, which is basically a ceaser salad with romaine hearts, nice fresh shaved cheese, crunchy croutons and a delicate dressing. For dinner the 'Gnocchi di patate con pomodoro e mozzarella', which had nice flavor, filling, could have been a bit easier on the sauce and a larger portion.. but I'll let it slide. I tried the Tiramisu for dessert, and sampled anothers Panna Cotta with fresh fruits and a nice red wine reduction.. fantastic. I've had better Italian food, and the experience itself isn't anything spectacular, but i'd be willing to come back for another try at some point. Noted: service could have been slightly faster/better.
(3)
Laura L.

Mama Melina is not what it used to be. As some may recall, Mama Melina was previously located in a shady neighborhood close to the university. Although the decor wasn't top notch and absolutely fabulous, the food and people made it one of my favorite restaurants. Frankly, good decor isn't number one on my priority list when it comes to restaurants. Now for the real complaining. Mama Melina moved to a more open and modern space near UVillage; an overall nice location. I was very impressed with the overall look of the place-very modern and chill. We stepped inside and it wasn't too busy, but not empty either (at about 6:00 on a Tuesday night). We were seated (2 people) at a nice area outside, and decided what to eat. Our waitress came over quite a while later and took our order. After about 20 minutes of patiently waiting for our food, we got it from a clueless waitress that seemed kind of weird. So we ate the miniscule porportions within 10 minutes, and waited for our waitress to come clear our table. 15 minutes passed- nothing. No sign of her at all! I asked a busboy if he could find her for us, but he gave me a puzzled look, basically meaning he didn't speak English. Another 5 minutes passed, and she finally came out to serve the table next to us. After she was done there, she turned around to go back into the restaurant, not even noticing us! That was infuriating, I had to practically yell for her attention. Rude and absolutely careless. Unfortunately, Mama Melina, my favorite restaurant of many years, has lost my patronage and I will never be returning there again. I hope that when you go, you have a much better experience than me! (If you really want to go at all. I recommend Ciao Bella, another Italian Restaurant in the university area.)
(1)
Todd L.

Last night was my first visit to the "new" location and my wife took me for my birthday dinner. We had a 6:30 reservation and waited 20 minutes in the bar until our table was ready. Jesse was friendly and encouraged us to try several types of wines as we decided on the one we liked best. When you have to wait for your reservation the experience at the bar should be enjoyable. Nice job. After seated, we were approached quickly, given water and bread right away and asked if we knew what we'd like for starters. We selected the mussels in spicy cannellini beans. It arrived very quickly and we thought it was good but not amazing. For dinner we elected to go family style and split a pasta and a meat dish and selected a salad to complete the meal. We chose the veal and beef bolognese sauce with rigatoni and the Chilean sea bass in Sicilian wine sauce. Both dishes arrived incredibly quickly. Almost too quickly. Unfortunately we failed to specify that we'd like to have them arrive one at a time. Our fault. The rigatoni was good but again not amazing and certainly not as good as the original location. The sea bass was prepared perfectly and the wine sauce a delight but there was a lingering fishiness, which detracted from the overall quality of the dish. To complete the meal we chose the butter lettuce salad with goat cheese and toasted hazelnuts. It was good but overdressed and the lettuce was wilted more than it should be. They brought my a 3" square piece of tiramisu with a candle for desert and were sure to let us know several times it was on the house, including when they dropped off the bill. Okay, we got it. Thanks so much. We'll tip accordingly. Nice touch but maybe let people notice on the bill that it was complimentary. Better approach than beating it into a patron. Our server was nice, attentive and knowledgeable although maybe doesn't share the same level of appreciation for food as we do. The wine was nice (thanks Jesse) and a good value after we sent back the first corked bottle and got a good one. Overall I'd say the new location has great potential. The decor is the polar opposite of the original location and seems to fit the U Village/Laurelhurst theme. Their target customer wants swanky and it works. They seem to have resolved many of the service issues as well. When someone has a reservation try to make sure the table is ready when they arrive. Now if the food eventually creeps back up to the level of the old location they should have a hit. We'll return for happy hour at least. Worth another visit.
(3)
Jodi S.

I am sorry to see this place has such low reviews. Perhaps my experience here was different because my boyfriend and I were here later than the usual dinner rush. I remember driving by it, on the way to a sushi place just up the street, and it was packed! After the sushi placed failed miserably to produce anything of quality, we walked down here. It was pretty quiet at this point, we got a table outside yet under the heat lamp thing. Ahhhhh! So wonderful! :D The staff were all very friendly and attentive. The ambiance was relaxing yet formal - white table cloths but chill personnel. I really liked the sculpture outside. Our waiter forgot what my boyfriend ordered, but was very quick about asking and getting the food out to us. We got a very tasty red wine to go with our meal - I had a shrimp pasta special and he had a lamp dish and a side of octopus salad. The octopus was perfectly charred on the outside yet still tender on the inside and full of flavor. The lamb was delicate and delicious. My shrimp was excellent and the sauce complimented them nicely. I look forward to eating here again!
(4)
Marissa C.

I came up to Seattle to visit the University of Washington for grad school, and this restaurant was the one of the highlights of the trip. It was recommended by my hotel shuttle driver, and I would have never discovered it if not for her. If I go to the UW, I will eat here often, and if not it is definitely on the list for a return trip to Seattle. Service was excellent. We were seated quickly, and the food came out much faster than your average Italian restaurant. Our waiter checked on us fairly often, which I appreciated. I got the rigotini di napoli, which was smoked mozzarella, mini meatballs, basil and marinara sauce over rigatoni. It was an excellent combination of flavors, with just the right amount of spice. My mom had the Chicken Parmesan, and it was very much what you would expect of good Chicken Parmesan. She didn't get much in the way of pasta or veggies, but the chicken could stand alone. It was very soothing, and I liked how the chicken breast was tender and not over breaded. It is very small, so I'd imagine it could get very crowded. We were there toward the end of dinner, and it was reasonably full. You probably shouldn't come here if you get claustrophobic. But if you're anywhere near Seattle and want italian, I'd say this place is worth the trip.
(5)
Jen L.

I was here last night with some friends. I like the decore, classy, with chandeliers and open feel. It's loud in there since it has concrete floors, walls and ceilings. The bread is amazing! I had the clams (one still had sand in it), but the broth was decent, but the sand ruined my experience. I had the tuna, which unfortunately the sauce that it sat in was overpowering. The tiramisu was lovely, creamy, could use alcohol in it. Specialty drinks were a little too sweet for me. If you order soda, there's free refills!
(3)
Phill Y.

Atmosphere 4 Service 4 Food 4 Our hotel suggested this neighborhood charmer for lunch. On Monday a bit after 1 pm, it was slow. The main space is large and very open. The large windows lining the street side make it bright and airy. A bar lines the right wall while a patio can be seen through the windows at the back. The dining room has traditionally framed paintings mounted on the ceiling. Rather odd, but ultimately, unobtrusive. Service was prompt, attentive, without being overbearing. Four small (1.5") cubes of focaccia with an olive oil, balsamic and herb dip start the meal. We were really hungry and eventually asked for two refills of the bread. We ordered: ***Calamari Fritti app. Well seasoned, but a touch on the greasy side. Would have preferred a livelier dipping sauce. ***Rigatoni al Forno. Served with four small, flavorful meatballs. A bit too much cheese left a film of oil on the dish. ***Ravioli con porcini e formaggi. The aroma of the porcini perfumes the dish after your first bite. This was quite good, but the serving size is geared towards a much lighter appetite (or an appetizer). ***Fettucine alla Bolognese. This dish was also quite good. The veal in the bolognese stands out and the house made fettuccine is excellent. Lunch for three with tax and tip. Out the door for $62.
(4)
Ellen T.

We went to Mamma Melina for an early dinner this past Sunday. There were only a few tables occupied when we arrived but it was filling up by the time we left (around 6:30 - I said it was an early dinner). The server recommended an Italian red by the glass and my partner went with that. Based on some arcane notion that if we're ordering wine by the glass we can't possibly drink the same thing, I asked for the Chianti instead. I should have gone with the wine he recommended (and I did so for my second glass). Based on Yelp! reviews, we shared an order of the Bruschetta. It was positively drenched in olive oil and covered in amazingly declicious tomatoes (it's December, you know), and yet the bread was crusty..... really a nice appetizer. For my entree I had the seafood Cannelloni from the daily specials - and it was absolutely superb! Lots of seafood, spinach, cheese, and a nice combination of marinara and Bechamel sauce. The portion was not so small that I felt cheated but not so large that I felt guilty eating the whole thing. And I did eat the whole thing. P got the penne with smoked salmon. It also had large chunks of crab meat. I had a taste and the smoked salmon flavor was understated enough not to overwhelm the crab - it was quite delicious! We skipped dessert although a couple of items looked interesting. Next time. There will be a next time.
(4)
Magdalene T.

The new location had a nice trendy ambiance. We got a big round table at the back of the restaurant in a corner, perfect for our group. I had high hopes. They were soon dashed. The server was nice but was either totally incompetent or stretched too thin. First, he had trouble opening our bottle of wine and broke it. Bits of cork fell into the bottle and instead of replacing it, he apologized profusely. We let it slide. We had to remind him repeatedly (at least 3 times!) to bring our bread and water. Then, we waited far too long for our food. We were missing 3 entrees in our group and by the time they arrived, most of us were almost done. The place became so noisy we can hardly hear each other. For the price, quality of the food and lack of service, none of us were impressed nor do we plan to return.
(2)
Sarah V.

There are only 23 days of Dine Around Seattle left--but you must make it a point to show up at Ristorante Mamma Melina and order the steak medallions with gnocchi before the clock runs out. With each forkful, be sure to have an approximately even gnocchi:steak ratio. Get the chocolate souffle for dessert, and the house chianti. You can thank me later for how much more meaningful you life becomes.
(5)
Michael D.

The Pollo Ai Cafciofi is a chicken breast served with artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes. It also came with two pieces of asparagus and a roasted red pepper...I think more for color to liven the presentation than anything else. Looking at the dish, I could tell that the was a fair amount of oil used, so I would just have to do my best to not lick it off the plate, but still enjoy my meal at the same time. For the full review and pictures, check out...http://deckonfood.com/?p=2991
(3)
Roxanne B.

I had heard very good things about this restaurant, but I just couldn't find anything that deserved the praise. The restaurant's servers were polite and seemed well-informed, but the food was really not worth the money that the restaurant charged for it. The pasta seemed overcooked, the sauce boring. If you feel like good italian food, there's a number of places I would recommend over this.
(2)
Voshte G.

So we decided to check out the new location and the location is great. There is free parking in a garage and if you get luck you can find street parking too. The decor is very swanky and so different from the old location. It has lost the charm, but now very sheik. The bar is a decent size and the inside is large and has a few different rooms, so could be great for large parties. The outside is art deco with some lounging sofas/outside furniture. The menu has grown, however a few things were unfortunately not as good. We had the clams and the bruschetta for apps. The clams were great and really spicy!! But the Bruschetta was very bland- a different approach but not so good. The salads were very small but tasty. They have wood fire pizzas Sunday - Thursday- and the pizza was good. Our waiter was nice but a little slow and needs to brush up on pronouncing Italian dishes.
(4)
s s.

Food and service are both thoroughly underwhelming at the new location. I don't recommend giving these folks your hard-earned dinner-date dollars. I went to Mama Melina at the old location once, about a year ago, and was delighted with the meal. This evening I went to the new location to try the prix fixe menu for Restaurant Week...and I don't think I'll ever bother to go back again. Nothing was terrible, but it was not worth the price based on quality or quantity. Small portions, awkward waitress clanking plates around on the table, odd ingredient pairings (not bad, but lacking the sum-greater-than-its-parts synergy that I would expect from food in that price range). C'mon guys. Restaurant Week is an opportunity to impress some new customers and keep them coming back...and this is all you've got?
(2)
Sunil K.

I don't know where the owners of mediocre Italian joints get off thinking they can charge way too much for lousy food, but it seems to be some kind of epidemic. Mamma Melina's isn't even acceptable Italian; it's a few steps below. On a Monday night--not exactly the busiest night for most restaurants--they were at 40% capacity and we get asked, "Do you have a reservation?" twice. Hey hostess...no need to pretend the restaurant is crowded when it isn't! We had the grilled calamari as an appetizer and instead of charging us $8.50 for it they should have paid us $8.50 to eat it. Easily one of the blandest renditions of calamari I've dealt with. I ordered the fettucine and my girlfriend ordered the ziti, neither of which were acceptable. The fettucine was caked together. I put my fork in it, and EVERYTHING came up en-masse. Those ready-made Lipton pasta packs had better consistency. The ziti was undercooked and seemed really half-assed. If it came down to eating out here or Chef Boyardee, I'd choose Chef B.
(2)
Gizmo w.

Pasta was Mediocre. Too much salty.
(2)
Kimberly F.

Best pasta in Seattle, bar none. One of the most authentic you will find in Seattle.
(5)
jamie d.

Good not great. Started the night off planing on going to Salvatore nearby but there was a wait, it seemed really dark, and the entranced smelled really weird. Anyway...arrived at mamma melina and was seated pretty quick for a sat night. ambience was alright and our service was good too. Food was only okay. Ordered the 1/2 caraf of wine, a salad with pear and blue cheese and the fettuchine with bolognese sauce. it was warm, not hot. I make better meat sauce and I was looking for more from this restaurant. I'm having a hard time finding GREAT italian restaurants in seattle. Still looking
(3)
Alexis P.

reasonable price for a cute/romantic Italian place. friendly waitstafffffff spinach and prosciutto salad + goat cheese = BOMB.COM. my bf had the salmon and garlic cream sauce farfalle which i definitely wasn't too crazy about. it was a little too fishy for me. HOWEVER. I had the gnocchi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE GNOCCHI and it was super fluffy and asldkjfaWEJKFLAWj pillows in my mouth :) except the tomato sauce vaguely reminded me of creamy tomato soup... Still, it still hit the spot. i fuggin love gnocchi. I went on a monday night, which i was actually happy about because my bf and i could actually hear each other. It was really quite and the tables were barely filled up. hell yeah.
(4)
Steve B.

The old Mamma Melina was a hidden gem, the food fabulous and the service amazing. It was the perfect restaurant and I always thought it was the perfect place for a date, lunch with friends, or even a place to take out of town visitors. It was so unpretentious, yet amazingly good! I lamented my lose of the old location and tried the new one on a recent Saturday night. The new place, probably twice the size of the old, and a far cry from the old homestyle feel. It is very stylish indeed. Since we did not have reservations, we were offered bar seating and ended up a counter that was perhaps a foot wide, very cramped and not a comfortable place to eat. The service was just okay, our waitress was nice, but clearly a bit put off that we only ordered entrees. The entrees arrived within about 5 minutes of ordering, so obviously not prepared to order. The cost is higher than the old location, the portions smaller. Old standbys like chicken parmesan are gone, it is much more modern Italian food, similar in inspiration to Il Fornaio downtown. The food was tasty, no doubt about it. The atmosphere nice. I'll definitely be back. There are obvious kinks to work out with any new restaurant, and I know the owners care deeply about their product. It was evident in the old location and the care that went into the design of this one. They will surely find a middleground as the new place continues to evolve!
(3)
erfon h.

I can honestly say this without any exaggeration, this is the worst Italian food I've ever had. The food I and my girlfriend had here was very subpar. I truly think if you want Italian food, the Olive Garden would be the better choice for your money. Momma Melina's food was terribly. The carrots were overcooked and wrinkly, the pasta was undercooked and chewy/crunchy, and the chicken marsala -aye! The chicken was chewy and the sauce was VERY bland. I can't understand how this place has gotten so many good reviews. I've had both good and bad Italian food. I've spend weeks in Italy. Truly, this is some of worst restaurant food I've had of any genre...
(1)
Richard N.

I was a fan of Mamma Melina when it was at its previous location on Roosevelt. The new place, on 25th Ave NE is great, much better than before. Bright, engaging and clean with a really nice patio. It also has a great parking garage. Unfortunately, the service has become very poor and the food portions shrank quite a bit after the move. We had a terrible waitress who was overwhelmed and inattentive. She seemed inexperienced. Even the person bringing the bread and water could not help when we asked him to call our waitress or when we asked him to clear our tables (15 minutes after we finished eating). The food quality has not changed. This is a compliment. But the food portions did change and became much smaller. Even the tiramisu is half of what it used to be. Too bad, the new location is really attractive.
(1)
Joshua B.

The new location should not use the name of the old Mama Melina's on Roosevelt, it does a disservice to the heart and soul that the old location had. The beautiful interior with hand paintings created by the now retired owner, the opera singing, the piano player taking requests, the musical instruments handed out to join in the singing, that's the heart and soul of the Roosevelt location. Now that the Mama and Papa have retired back to Italy, the sons have taken over the business. Much like the Leo Melina's that used to be down on 1st and Union, this new location in the U-district should use the name of the son who now owns and operates it. It does fit a certain niche, that of up-scale, high-class clientele that as another reviewer mentioned fits the Laurelhurst motif, but it really needs a different name now. I remember meeting "Mama" one time at the old location, and having been to Italy, she reminded me of all the feelings I remember from being there. The warm hospitality, feeling a part of the family, like every night was a celebration of life. We used to go all the time to have the Portabello mushroom appetizer that now has been off the menu for some time. I struggled to find something that really excited me on the menu now, and I miss the long strips of bread folded over hot out of the oven. The bread now is average, the menu seemed unexciting, and the portions seem smaller too. In short, if you're hoping to have an experience like you remember, you will not get it from Mama Melina's anymore.
(2)
Joyce Man H.

I loved everything about this place! I got 2 specials, one was a light salad which was very fresh and had deliciously toasted almonds, and the other was eggplant parmesan that came out pipin hot. Both had just the right amount of flavors for me and weren't too filling, which usually happens at Italian restaurants for me. The prices are pretty good for the service and the ambiance. I went on a weekend when they have the guy that sings opera and plays piano. He's soo good! He even came over and asked me what song I wanted him to play, and he immediately played my request. Yea so maybe I'm a little biased cuz of that, but whatever, good food, good price, good fun!
(5)
Rachel P.

The place to get pasta in Seattle. Both times I've been here, the pasta has been out of this world. Good atmosphere, relaxing and enjoyable for lunch or dinner.
(4)
TeTeDaMouse C.

I used to live within walking distance to Mamma Melina's; this restaurant is a treat! The ambiance is nice and appropriate for a date or a dinner with parents or out-of-towners. The service is excellent. The food is delicious, fresh, quickly served, and surprisingly, less expensive than you'd imagine. The meal starts off with delicious focaccia bread accompanied by olive oil and vinegar. The bread is so tasty, that my fiance and I often ask for seconds, which the staff are happy to provide. I've only ordered two things off the menu, which keep me more than happy: Fettuccine Paglia e Fieno and Farfalle Salmone. Both are delicious and hearty. When I'm craving a more meaty flavor I got for the former because it has proscuitto. However, I've had the latter more often because who doesn't love smoked salmon? Also, while I've had it with bow-tie pasta as described in the menu, I enjoy it more with spaghetti or fettuccine. While I haven't had any of the appetizers, I'm dying to try some the next time I'm at the restaurant. A lot of the dishes remind me of the food I had when I was in Italy this summer. Yum! Tuesday nights are fun nights to come to the restaurant due to live piano playing and half-off bottles of wine. Piano playing also occurs on the weekends. In sum, if you want a lovely, intimate, and delicious meal that's a bargain to boot, come to Mamma Melina. It's hard to imagine you'd go wrong with this selection.
(4)
Reza M.

Loved the atmosphere, fresh food, reasonable prices, and awesome service! Ordered the pasta with lobster and muscles. The dish was very tasty and fresh, but a little on the salty side. I would recommend the chef tastes a little more before he/she sends the food off the line. I would definately come back again.
(4)
Jia T.

I crave for the warm freshly baked bread that's severed on your table right after walking in. I long for the warm atmosphere with the sound of piano playing in the background. I yearn for a glass of red wine with my Linguine alla Pescatora (Pasta with fresh tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, clams, mussels, calamari, and prawns). Ristorante Mamma Melina is my favorite Italian restaurant in the city. I don't need the fancy decor or the hip neighborhood to find good Italian food. This is my first choice.
(5)
Steve M.

Great food - nice traditional fare, tasty enough to make those who think Olive Garden is "Italian" enjoy it and good enough to make the Italians happy. My only complaint - the musical entertainment, which can be very loud since the place is so small. It's difficult to talk with your fellow diner(s).
(4)
Carrie M.

good food (gnocchi was amazing!), good atmosphere, nice waitress, hostesses were a bit snooty and seemed to be drinking on the job which i think is terrible. just my opinion. also they didnt have our reservations on file that we had made that day. otherwise loved this place and would go back
(3)
Safa S.

Just an ok restaurant. Go to Ciao Bella by the U-Village for better Italian food. Anyway, everything was on the bland side... now, my grandfather owned an olive tree orchard and I grew up always eating good quality olive oil. From the olive oil, I can tell the difference between which season the olives were picked and if it is virgin, extra virgin, etc. Well, I started complaining about the olive oil at this restaurant, telling my husband that it is low quality, light olive oil. So, he was trying to be nice to me and asked the waiter if we could get some extra-virgin olive oil for our table... .... ... the waiter said "that is extra virgin"..... uhhhh.... they have got to be lying or watering down the extra virgin with canola oil.
(3)
Alan F.

This is pretty much the only place I can think of in the U-District where you could take someone you want to impress and be assured of your success, due to live piano serenading, amazing food, plus a cozy and romantic interior. Any of the cream sauce dishes are a sure bet, but everything's a bit more expensive than typical U-District fare. Doesn't matter. This place may be my new favorite which leaves my bank account sad, but my soul satisfied.
(5)
Susan E.

I'm still singing Bohemian Rhapsody two days later. Like an idyllic picture postcard, Mamma Melina's has a cozy and warm atmosphere that verges on "This could be Italy... if Italy was in Orlando, Florida". Perfect for the cold, rainy Saturday night that we visited on, we dropped in without the reservation that everyone else seemed to have. This was not a problem as the wait was relatively short and we filled the time chatting in the warm environment, tempted by plates of pasta walking by and most importantly, entertained by the piano master in the corner. First it was a soulful rendition of "Let It Be" followed by The Beach Boys "Barbara Ann" and several Italian restaurant standards, but it was the next song, that as we made our way to our table, gave us pause. The first few chords are unmistakable and soon we were singing with our neighbors Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody in full. I couldn't even look at the menu until I knew how this brilliant piano man with wireless mic would resolve the bridge between "Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me,for me...." and "So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye". The result was brilliant and well deserving of the round of applause from the entire restaurant. That being said, the dinner was comforting, tasty and just what the doctor ordered for the crummy, rainy night that it was. The price was just right for plates of pasta, a half bottle of wine to share, tiramisu and the warm bread and olive oil we nibbled on while waiting. The environment kept chatter lively and flowing and yet was the perfect volume (even with live music) to be able to conduct intimate conversation. Obviously a sweet date place, Mamma Melina's was perfect for friends enjoying each others company and needing a cozy, warm meal with laughter, warmth and goodness on a cold and rainy night.
(4)
P B.

Fool me once, Shame on you, Fool me twice? We went to the new Mamma Melina for a nice Friday evening dinner on the patio. The setting is cool, the vibe is nice, the service, Fail, on so many levels. The server did not know the menu, advised me poorly on a food choice, he did come back and correct this and allowed me to change my order. Over dinner we ordered a glass of wine, that sat neatly on the bar the entire time we ate, we would have asked our server to grab it for us, but he was a no show the entire time. When the check came we noticed the un-consumed wine was on the bill, we pointed this out and he let us know 'we could enjoy it while he ran our credit card if we would like, we advised that we were done for the evening and our bill was corrected. Through the night we heard 'oh we are new, we are 'working out the kinks' several times, by several different employees. We gave them this as they had been open less than a week. My hope is that they would have at least hired seasoned servers and staff. Fast forward to nearly a week later, we attended a birthday party with 6 people. We sat 20 minutes before our server arrived. This entire time, we had no water, no acknowledgement, but we made the best of it. We didn't know this was a sign for a comically funny evening of delays, and mishaps, that will probably not have me coming back any time soon. When we did get our water, it was just placed on the table, we got to pour that by ourselves. Not a picky foody type, I let this one go and gladly poured my own glass pretending that it was wine. I advised my friends to pretend as well, as indeed it was around 20 minutes before the wine did arrive. The plates all arrived hap hazardly 30 minutes later, with mine (pizza) being the very last, and about 5 minutes after the rest. Some in the party refused to eat unitl all plates were presented, which is usually the custom, however an action of their own, their food was then lukewarm out of principal. My pizza was soggy and undercooked, it was clear that it was forgotten and rushed through the oven. The other plates received few complaints, and overall the food was good. Our total time in the restauraunt was about 3 hours. Not by our choice, but due to the service. When it was time for dessert, we finally walked up to the bar to order it as our server was sporadic on checking in, and we had felt forgotten by this time. Again, we hear 'ohhh we are working out the kinks, we just opened' many many times. I am going to give this plaec a few months to hit their stride before I give them a final chance.
(1)
Aaron S.

Never heard of this place until my friend told me about it. The way we evaluate a great Italian restaurant is how great they make bruschetta. (something we came up with). It was one of the best (the tomatoes are very good). Also ordered Ravioli which was pretty decent. I could tell they cared about the service we received. The food was pretty good. I am going to return for sure.
(5)
Marie S.

My husband and I loved the old location! The new location is missing the charm and warmth. The service was mediocre; our waiter took away our wine list and glasses before we could order. The prices have gone up. We didn't even think the food was as good! We miss the old Mama Melinas and won't be going back to the new one. :(
(1)
Maeve C.

I went here with my BF the other night before catching a movie at Seven Gables. It was my second time, and while I wasn't that impressed the first time, I thought it was worth another try. We got there about an hour and fifteen minutes before the movie and were told it'd we a 15-20 min wait. We waited around in the uncomfortable doorway, having to move back and forth to let servers by and patrons out. The couples in front of us were seated and then a few more filtered in behind us. They were also going to see the movie and when they seemed nervous after hearing their wait time, they were offered a shared table and bumped in line before us. Shortly after, we strategically read the menu before being seated to make sure our order got in first. Things seemed to be going well for a while, my BF was less than impressed with his veal and his Pinot, but all in all it was a nice meal. I had ordered the special ravioli - supposedly a mixture of gorgenzola, spinach, and walnuts. It was rich and well flavored, although there was nothing that tasted like gorgonzola and the walnuts were whole - a little strange for a ravioli - and there was something chewy and flavorless, which I assumed was a poorly chosen cheese. And then, I gave a few to my BF, he started making weird faces, the pulled something out, and exclaimed that it had chicken in it. As a nealry lifelong vegetarian, I'm not always the best at spotting meat, but I had specifically asked if the dish were vegetarian when ordering and it was, in my opinion, not completely clear what the mystery ingredient was. So, we called over our waitress and asked about it - her first response was something along the lines of, it's not my fault they told me it was cheese, then she headed back toward the kitchen and called in the manager. A few minutes later, the manager came out and explained that it was just a type of cheese I had tasted, but my BF insists that it looked felt and tasted just like chicken and while I really want to believe it was just cheese, they were less than reasurring. So, I'm not sure what to believe, but it was less than satifying food and service.
(2)
Chas D.

I was excited about the outdoor seating -- there are not a lot of places that offer that in Seattle (could it be something to do with the weather?). So on a warm evening recently my wife and I decided to give the new Mamma Melina a try. Good news for the restaurant -- it was packed. It has been benefitting from good exposure provided by a road closure that detours a ton of traffic right past their outdoor seating. Unfortunately, though, there was no follow through, and I suspect there will be a number of people, like myself, who were not impressed and will most likely not make MM a regular stop. The issues: the service was sporadic. It literally took an hour for our dinner to arrive and the waitress never came by during that hour with an explanation or an apology. Second the food -- as others have noted, the rustic Italian of the old MM has been replaced by higher-priced pretentious dishes, that match the overdone decor and, though fine, are not stellar. The final problem for me is that it's drawing from a more upscale neighborhood and the restaurant struck me as a place people are going to "see and be seen." A lot of showy jewelry and make-up, a lot of wine snobbery. Just not a friendly neighborhood place like the old MM. Or at least, not MY kind of place. Oh, did I mention that I arrived on my bike from work, and they were quite put out about me parking my bike on a railing of the outdoor seating area. They wanted it out of sight somewhere, but, of course don't have a bike rack anywhere. Kind of sad, when the old location was such a nice neighborhood institution of the U District.
(2)
John T.

I went here using a gift certificate from a relative. I was a little skeptical at first as the place is a little small and the decor not exactly the nicest. We didn't have reservations but were seated in an okay spot in the back. The seating is pretty cramped as the tables are very close to each other. Don't plan on having too intimate of a conversation unless you want others to possibly chime in on your conversation. Our waiter was very good and quite pleasant. As far as food is concerned I wasn't sure what exactly to order. As the waiter informed us in good detail what the daily special was (pan seared rock fish over risotto), I was convinced that was what I wanted (I like to try different types of seafood). While waiting for the food to arrive we noticed that it was quite a loud restaurant. In the background we could here a pianist playing Italian music which was kind of nice. For a appetizers we had the complimentary hand made bread along with stuffed eggplant (smokey tasting with a cheese and a red sauce) and a nice green salad. When our orders came the presentation was fabulous. Elegant. Most importantly the flavor was awesome. I couldn't help but to comment several times how wonderful the flavor was. Dessert was a slice of Tiramisu served for two people, also very good! I would without a doubt return for a delightful dinner. Cost for two people with tip was around $80.
(3)
Ms. A.

I work in the neighborhood and eat here for lunch when I'm too lazy to pack my own. The lunch menu is great and really affordable. The bread they serve you dipped in the olive oil is sooo yummy I just about fill up on that before my food arrives. The owner Roberto is very friendly and goes to each table and takes your order. The food comes out in a timely manner and I always have enough left over for a snack later. I recommend this family restaurant!
(5)
Iris M.

This is a great neighborhood restaurant. It has a great ambiance and once I even saw Dale Chihuly here. The prices are really great. I really like their Spaghetti alle Vongole, very simple, but nice. The Fettuccine Paglia e Fieno is so tasty that I started making my own version of it at home. It is spinach and egg pasta with cream sauce with proscuitto, mushrooms, and peas. Yum! Their ravioli's are usually very tasty. If they have a seafood stuffed ravioli available, you should jump on it.
(4)
Matt C.

I wanted to like the place, but it was noisey, a little too trendy, but mainly the food was average. My wife had the NW seafood cannelloni. She was right it tasted a little like a frozen dinner. I had veal, which was average. the pricing wasn't bad. I probably won't go back.
(2)
Sinny S.

A friend and I went there on a whim last month and we thought it rocked. I never notice these things but our waitress was really pretty haha. The food came quick, the live music was entertaining, the atmosphere is hard to beat. Its cute and cozy but be prepared to request a song when the piano man comes around asking for requests. I'd probably only go to Mamma Melina or La Rustica for good Italian dinners.
(5)

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Address : 5101 25th Ave NE
Seattle, WA, 98105
Phone (206) 632-2271
Website https://www.mammamelina.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : Yes
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Pizza

Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.

Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.

Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20^th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.

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Mamma Melina Ristorante - Pizzeria

5101 25th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105

Mamma Melina Ristorante - Pizzeria Menu

Bar Food

Pizza

Dessert

Gelato

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mamma Melina Ristorante - Pizzeria

Bar Food

Pizza

Dessert

Gelato

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